Santa Claus = God??

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

Let's consider this for a moment.

Santa Claus is a mythical figure who is said in various stories and songs to possess the following powers:

- He can see you when you're sleeping
- He knows when you're awake
- He rewards you for being "Good" in his eyes and punishes you for being "bad"
- Has the resources to manufacture one toy for every child in the world and deliver ALL OF THEM in the course of a single NIGHT
- Also apparently never ages

What does this sound like to you? Santa Claus is more of a God figure than most of us would probably like to admit. How would you explain this apparent equality to a Christian child who is asking about it?

[Fryk]

Santa doesn't punish you when you're bad!

That's Krampus, i.e., Knecht Ruprecht, ie........

SATAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My God, you may be on to something!

[AdminAssistant]

I believe it was Calvin (of the comic strip) who said: "Santa Claus: Kindly old elf or CIA spook?"

[jackfaire]

This is how I would explain it.

God grants Santa special powers so that he can bring joy to the good boys and girls of the world.

[Arcade Man D]

IF I have kids (which is unlikely, given that I just don't feel I'd be a very good father, and my girlfriend just plain doesn't want kids), I'll explain that Santa is a representation of the spirit of giving that's within everyone (well, after they're old enough to get that idea). After all, that's what my folks did with us.

[Bloodsoul]

I always thought Santa was a 27th-level wizard with Spell Mastery over time stop and greater teleport.

Also:
http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=233

[crashhelmet]

This is how I would explain it.

God grants Santa special powers so that he can bring joy to the good boys and girls of the world.

He is a Saint after all.

CH

[elsporko]

Also according to one Christmas special he had a pet lion.

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

He is a Saint after all.

CH

Not quite.

Although the figure of Santa Claus is inspired by the life and generosity of the real St. Nicholas, he is by no means an EXACT representation of that person (in fact they have little in common).

It's like when you see a movie advertised as "based on a true story". That doesn't mean you'll be watching a documentary, it means you are watching a story that, although it uses certain facts, characters and key points from real world events, is heavily tailored for specific reasons and thus not an accurate representation of the truth.

[Fryk]

Actually, IIRC, wasn't the real St Nicholas a TON more badass?

[jackfaire]

I wasn't saying he was a saint just pointing out a way to reconcile it for a child who asks.

[lordlundar]

This comic brought it up at just the right time.

[Ghel]

I would simply tell the kids that Santa is somebody that some people believe in, even though we don't. Just like God.