Immanuel or Santa Claus
I’m really black and white and really struggle with “gray areas” of my life. When I know what is up must come down I can operate well, but planes and helicopters I know nothing of and struggle with understanding. Sure you can teach me the physics and all the equations and theories but . . . let’s stick to what is predictable and clear. With that being said, I am about to reveal something to you as a soon-to-be 38 year old man that will defy predictability and understanding. Ready?
I believe in Santa Claus. No - things didn’t just go claymation; this is reality! Not hyperbole. I’m talking about real, genuine belief. There is a man who is old and generous, a man that gives me the things I ask for if I am good. I do not believe this man wears a red suit and climbs down my chimney like a felon. But I do believe this man has a super magical powers and watches me when I sleep and has a list of everyone who is good or bad. I believe this Santa Claus has the ability to bless me with what I want and to give me back things I don’t want when I am bad. My belief in this magical being is found only in my flesh and is mixed with my own religious good intention.
I don’t always call him by the name of “Santa”. When I am at my highest state of confusion and flesh I worship this man under the concept and name “God”.
As you read this and realize the error of my belief system, please allow me to step into your world for a second to say - you probably have, in seasons, this belief too. Our flesh is finite and highly corrupted with self and so our view of God can very easily turn into a Santa Claus theology. This theology is developed with the of greatest intentions but the poorest of methods. This theology changes my perception of God from a relational Father to a man who I spend thirty seconds with when I need something in seasons. Instead of trying to spend time explaining this deceptive theology, let’s use an example in the form of a case study. To eliminate any type of potential “he’s talking about me” scenarios, I will use the names of the reindeer.
Rudolph had great parents but had some insecurities that were not addressed at a young age. So He becomes and follower of Jesus and is passionate about spending time with God everyday and growing in his faith. He is gifted and the Lord blesses Rudolph with a family and a beautiful wife Clarice. But soon Rudolph becomes busy, overwhelmed, and those insecurities start showing up again. Life is hard and to make it worse Rudolph’s intimate time with the Lord has become as hard to find as the North Pole. So one day when things are at the worst Rudolph’s with everything in him goes to God with a list. This list starts with an apology with sacrificing time with the Lord but then the list turns into begging for relief in almost every area of life. After a few days the list becomes arbitrary because Rudolph has prayed so fervently that it is burned into his memory. His prayers sound that exact same way every time. After a week, Rudolph is begging every time He interacts with God and his time alone with the Lord turns into a one way conversation about the list.
When we think that what we do affects how God sees us, we do what we think He wants to see without having any type of relationship with Him. “Have you been a good boy, Rudolph?” We answer that question with hollow forms of relationship. “Yes sir! I read my Bible and pray and tell you my needs and I go to church and tithe.” Rudolph’s error (and ours) is implementing something other than a relational interaction.
Remember the reason for the season? It’s reasonable to think that God coming to earth isn’t just seasonal. Immanuel is the reason. God is with us. This idea of Santa Claus theology teaches us that I only have to interact with God seasonally and then He will give me what I want if I am a good boy. It’s like the scene from “Elf” where Buddy sees “Santa” come into the department store and shouts, “I know him!” But this parallel is not at all funny.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Knowing God intimately is the point. It’s the only point. There is nothing else. On that day, will we be screaming “Santa Claus! Santa Claus!” or “Immanuel! Immanuel!”
In his book Barking to the Choir Greg Boyle says, “Immanuel isn’t the guy manning the knobs and switches controlling our lives. He is the one embracing us”.
Santa Claus theology is me trying to create a view of God that I can understand and manage; it creates a void and gap in fully knowing Him as Immanuel, the God who embraces me and my crap and helps me out of it into this incredible life He can provide. Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day. Sin entered the world and screwed that relationship up. Jesus came to fix it so that we can walk with God in the cool of the day. I want to know Him and be known by Him. I don’t want from Him because I have realized that sitting with Him in an intimate relationship all my needs drift away and He supplies and sustains me.
I believe in Immanuel. I spend time with Him daily. He knows my insecurities and I know His power and might wrapped in love and compassion. I can smell the sweetness of His presence and it isn’t beef and cheese.