Signs of the Times

[Note second editorial in this issue, pp. 2225-2227.]

James DeF. Murch

Christian Herald

The Reverend James DeF. Murch, D.D.
in the Christian Herald
New York, New York

Santa Claus is a myth .... There is no religious element in Santa Claus .... If in the minds of the masses his image is allowed to supplant the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose birthday Christmas is supposed to celebrate, paganism will have won a new victory. I am for the campaign to "put Christ back into Christmas." ...

He cannot be put back into the paganized holiday we have created. Merely adding sacred music, nativity scenes and religious greeting cards to the shopping season madness of Main Street will not do it .... The only way Christ can have a proper place in His birthday celebration is to change the popular concept of Christmas through the testimony of the Church ....

For several centuries Christmas was solely a church anniversary observed by religious services. But as Christianity spread into pagan lands, many of the practices of the winter solstice were blended with those of Christianity .... Christmas became both a time of praise and worship and a day of fiesta and license. In Rome itself where the Feast of Saturn was observed, there grew up a strange mixture of Christmas and Saturnalia which was an everlasting disgrace to Christianity.

What has all this to do with Santa Claus in Church? Very much. When it comes to the great issues of our faith, any compromise with the world is suicidal. If in the Church there cannot be a clear, powerful testimony to the real meaning of Christmas, unmixed with Santa Claus, where on earth are we going to get it? ...

But, some will say, the children may resent the fact that Santa Claus is ignored In the Church and the Church School. Not if they learn what Christmas is all about! ... We have enough trouble keeping myth separate from faith and fact in the religious life of our nation without further confusing the minds of our children. Faith will be strengthened and lives will be made richer in that church where Christ alone is exalted at Christmas time.

Send a comment to the editors

This is the end of the issue. Ready to explore further?

Online features Audio

December 23, 1961

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit