7 Ways Santa and Jesus Are Strangely Alike (And Why It Matters)

Every Christmas season, millions of children around the world excitedly await the arrival of Santa Claus. He’s the jolly old man with a white beard, a red suit, and a moral checklist to determine who’s been naughty or nice. While this beloved figure has become synonymous with holiday joy, have you ever stopped to consider how closely Santa’s traits mirror those of another figure—Jesus Christ?

It may seem surprising at first, but when we dig deeper, we begin to see a troubling pattern of similarities between the two. In this post, I’ll explore the striking parallels between Santa and Jesus, and why we might want to reconsider how we blend these figures in our homes during Christmas.

1. Santa: His Hair is White as Snow

One of the most iconic features of Santa Claus is his snowy-white hair. The image of a man with a long, flowing white beard is instantly recognizable. But this description is eerily similar to a vision of Jesus in the Bible. In Revelation 1:14, we read:

"The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow."

This description is of Jesus Christ in His heavenly form—perfect and pure. The resemblance to Santa’s snowy hair is hard to ignore.

2. Santa: Wears a Red Robe

Santa’s iconic red robe has become synonymous with Christmas, but this too has a striking parallel with Jesus. In Revelation 19:13, when Jesus returns in His glory, we see Him dressed in a robe dipped in blood:

"He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God."

This robe is a symbol of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Santa’s red robe, however, simply serves as a colorful part of his attire. Yet, the similarities in the red garments cannot be ignored, especially when we consider the symbolic importance of blood in Christian faith.

3. Santa: The Naughty and Nice List

Santa’s moral checklist—where he keeps track of who has been good or bad throughout the year—serves as the basis for who gets presents and who doesn’t. But this concept of judgment is mirrored in the Book of Life, mentioned in Revelation 20:12:

"Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done."

In the same way Santa “judges” whether children are deserving of gifts, the Bible teaches that each person will be judged for their actions and their names will be recorded in the Book of Life. The stark difference, of course, is that Jesus’ judgment is eternal and far more serious, but the similarities are worth noting.

4. Santa: Elves

Santa’s helpers, the elves, are responsible for making toys and preparing for Christmas Eve. While we may laugh at the idea of these magical little creatures, they serve a function similar to the angels in Christian belief. In Hebrews 1:14, the Bible tells us that angels are “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation”

The idea of elves assisting Santa is, in essence, a parallel to the role of angels serving God’s will. However, it’s essential to recognize that angels are divine messengers with a sacred purpose—something that elves, even if well-intentioned, don’t embody.

5. Santa: The North Pole

Santa Claus is said to live at the North Pole, a far-off, unreachable land where he’s hard at work preparing for Christmas. In a similar vein, Acts 1:11 tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven, a place that is also distant and beyond human reach:

"...This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Heaven, like the North Pole, is depicted as an extraordinary, otherworldly place. But while the North Pole represents the magical, almost mythical location of Santa’s home, heaven represents the eternal, divine realm where Jesus reigns.

6. Santa: Judge of Morality

Santa’s role in determining who gets presents is based on a moral judgment: if you’re “nice,” you’ll be rewarded. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that Jesus also judges people, but His judgment leads to eternal reward or consequence:

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

While Santa’s judgment ends with material rewards, Jesus’ judgment has eternal consequences. But, like Santa, He is depicted as a figure who is deeply concerned with virtue.

7. Santa: "He Sees You When You’re Sleeping"

One of Santa’s most famous songs reminds us that he sees us when we’re sleeping, and he knows when we’re awake. This omniscient surveillance is a humorous notion in the context of Santa’s role as the ultimate gift-giver. However, it’s worth noting that God is omniscient, with the ability to see all things, as Proverbs 15:3 teaches:

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."

This idea of divine oversight is a serious, profound truth in Christianity. In contrast, Santa’s surveillance, while amusing, is nothing more than a part of the folklore.

Why the Parallels Matter

Now, you might be thinking, “So what’s the harm in Santa? Why should it matter that some aspects of his story align with Jesus?”

The truth is, there’s a deeper, more subtle influence at play. Satan has long sought to pervert and distort things of God, flipping them on their head to deceive and confuse. If Satan is after the human soul, why wouldn’t he begin by targeting the most vulnerable—our children? Children are the most impressionable, and by embedding them in the myth of Santa, we may inadvertently be planting seeds of confusion.

When we teach our children about a jolly man who rewards the good and punishes the bad, we are introducing them to a moral structure that mirrors what we believe about Jesus Christ. But what happens when they discover it’s all a lie? The very figure who was once the judge of their morality suddenly disappears, leaving them to wonder about the validity of other truths we’ve taught them, including about Jesus.

This doesn’t mean that believing in Santa as a child will necessarily erase one’s faith in Christ later in life. But we should ask ourselves, why add unnecessary confusion? Why create a distrust between ourselves and our children? Isn’t the path to understanding and embracing Christ already difficult enough?

Conclusion

I’m not here to tell you how to raise your children, but I do believe it’s worth considering why we do what we do during the Christmas season. The parallels between Santa and Jesus are undeniable, and we must ask ourselves if it’s worth perpetuating these myths, especially when they might unintentionally distort the truth about the true reason for the season—Jesus Christ. Let’s carefully consider our traditions and make sure they align with the message we truly want to pass on to the next generation.