The Theology of Santa Claus

In his sermon for Christmas Eve, Fr. Justin reminds us that God doesn't make a list and check it twice. Through his playful critique of popular songs about Santa, we're confronted with a profound truth. The Christmas story isn't about God straightening out the moral ledger of the universe with rewards and punishments. It's about God becoming radically present with us, choosing proximity over power, relationship over remote control. This baby in the manger represents God's refusal to work at a distance, His insistence on being local, on-site, personally involved in our messy, beautiful, chaotic lives. We're reminded that life will remain hard, but the promise of Christmas is that God is with us—not flying overhead like a cosmic Santa, but standing beside us, knowing us as intimately as Mary knew Jesus, as personally as the disciples experienced Him. This is an invitation to know God, not just to be fixed by Him.