Father Christmas: The Dad You Always Wanted

The original Christmas story was not a silent night. In fact, the two Gospels, Matthew and Luke, which include the Christmas story, tell us more about a compilation of events rather than a single night, and they aren't peaceful. Political turmoil, powerful omens, angelic appearances, extravagant gifts from unexpected visitors, and a raging king make up the Christmas story. Nevertheless, Christmas always brings us a silent night...if we let it.

The presence or absence of a good father in the home makes all the difference in the Christmas experience. The world has pushed against Christmas celebrations for decades; as of late, many Christians have come against it, too. I suspect that the brokenness of homes is mainly responsible for the disdain for Christmas. Resentment, bitterness, and abandonment issues cause us to want to break from the traditions our parents’ generation observed. Nevertheless, Christmas persists if only for the commercial opportunities. Rather than seeing commercialism as a negative, I thank God that it keeps Christmas alive amid the cynicism of many Christians and non-Christians alike. There is something wonderfully tenacious about the Christmas spirit.

The quintessential Biblical Christmas prophecy comes from the ninth chapter of the prophet Isaiah.

“For a child will be born to us,

A son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB

Within this short scriptural passage lies the cause of all the turmoil, controversy, and peace of Christmas. The political controversy comes from the claim that “the government will rest on His shoulders,” and “there will be no end of His government nor of peace.” Neither King Herod nor Caesar, represented by Pontius Pilate, took kindly to that claim. From an internal standpoint, turmoil or peace comes from the statement that he will be called, “Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

My father was a wonderful man who was home, literally, every single night of my life except for the one time he stayed overnight at the Hospital with my mom after a difficult childbirth. I grew up with the most enviable security. The idea of an “Eternal Father” who is also the lynch pin and source of peace in my life is readily transferable. But tragically, I am the oddball in our world in this experience. There are many good fathers in the world, but far too many wicked ones. And tragedy strikes the good and the bad alike. My father died young and left us, including my young siblings, all alone. Where does the peace of Christmas come from for those who do not have good and present fathers?

What I am about to say will trigger many religious folks, except maybe the Catholic ones, but I don't care because what I am about to say is true. As a type of father to the fatherless, God gave us the gift of the man, the myth, and the legend of jolly old Saint Nicolas. Now, God Himself is the true father to the fatherless, but as His image bearers, God grants us the privilege and responsibility to reveal Himself to the world through our lives. Every Christian hero or heroine who has ever lived has succeeded in accurately reflecting God’s heart into the world to one degree or another. The real Saint Nicolas demonstrated the love of Christ through His devotion to God and his care for the weak. We could say much about the real Saint Nick, but today I want to emphasize the blessing of the legend.

Even in fatherless homes, Christmas Eve can be absolutely wonderful. Children go to bed but stay awake all night, anticipating the morning. The excitement of children is more than raw materialism. Gift giving is a real and common love language. Even people who do not give and receive gifts as a love language still understand that others do. When children go to bed on Christmas Eve, the vast majority of them anticipate receiving some form of love in the morning. And for many children, the representative deliverer of this love is a kindly old man who sees you when you are sleeping, knows when you are awake, and knows if you have been bad or good, but gives every impression of being forgiving and benevolent. On Christmas Eve, many children experience security and peace more than any other night because of the fantasy of a father or grandfather figure who takes care of them while they are sleeping, bringing gifts he bought or made with just them in mind, carefully wrapped to emphasize the value he places on each child, and never forgetting a single person. And here is the wonder of Christmas: That fantasy figure exists, though he doesn't live at the North Pole, nor does he fly around with magical reindeer. But He did stay up all night suffering for the sake of bringing you love; He did lay down His life for you; He gives us His Holy Spirit to comfort us and assure us of His love; He adopts us as His children; and He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. And He has demonstrated His faithfulness by loving not His life even unto death. He is the real thing, the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace. And He cares for you even in your sleep (Psalm 127:2). Santa Claus is not Jesus’ Christmas rival but rather His representative, just as you and I are.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

John 20:21 NASB

The world needs more Santa Clauses, not less. We don't need flying reindeer and a magic sleigh. We need the love and generosity of God the Father, who loved the world so much that He gave Himself, even unto death (John 3:16). Seize the golden opportunity at Christmas to be a true saint and a father to the fatherless.