On this episode of the Innocence Redeemed podcast I will be laying out the difference between Santa Claus, the ‘clause,’ Saint Nicholas and how they are NOT the same person. I will explain the dangers of practicing magic and witchcraft and what Christmas is truly about vs what the world would like to instill in many, unknowingly. I will explain why teaching each other as well as our children why it is important to teach them the truth about the faith and Jesus in His season rather than condoning the sin of idolatry and wanting and the dangers surrounding the falsehood of Santa (the Satanic Clause).
Article I read from WND if Interested
Verses referenced in this podcast as they pertain:
Colossians 2:8 (NKJV)
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Exodus 20:3-6 (NKJV)
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Daniel 7:25 (NKJV)
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time.
Matthew 18:6-8 (NKJV)
6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:20-21 (NKJV)
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13 (AMPB)
10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire [as a sacrifice], one who uses divination and fortune-telling, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a charm or spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer [who seeks the dead]. 12 For everyone who does these things is utterly repulsive to the Lord; and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless (complete, perfect) before the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:31 (NKJV)
31 ‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.
John 8:44 (NKJV)
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
John 1:1 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
Revelation 22:13-15 (NKJV)
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
Matthew 1:18-25 (NKJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Matthew 6:24 (NKJV)
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV)
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Thank you, Brother Ray, for once again wrestling here (successfully) with another big “ouch.” Christmas gets into our hearts and can be a very good thing when our hearts are right. I will say to anyone who knows me that I absolutely love the concept of Christmas, to include the shopping and the cooking and the decorating and the fellowship. Although my spirit is downtrodden still in some ways this year, my heart is very much alive and full of a lot of love.
Listening here to your voice reminds me of being a daddy to my little boy. No matter that little boy is about to turn 23 early in the new year of 2023. Thus, I totally get it when it comes to moms and dads and kids. It’s intense. Thank you for sharing our sister’s e-mail and her concerns. I don’t know her, but it’s pretty obvious she’s a lovely kindred spirit.
A little story here, maybe since you and I haven’t had a chance to collaborate lately with a podcast. It’s a little bit about offense, but also, waking up. A member of my family, who is married to my “baby brother,” a brother seven years younger, is a strong Christian. Incredibly strong. Years ago, I want to say seven or eight years ago, they came out here and visited in the summer time. They drove many hundreds of miles to come out here and visit. It was a fun time.
Well, a visit to Michigan in summer from a place of heat and humidity can be a “magical” thing to kids. I mean, I remember visiting a dear aunt of mine as a kid when she lived in Chicago, and there was always a nice cool breeze blowing off Lake Michigan in her beautiful apartment in the sky overlooing the Lake! Chicago was also “magical” at that time, full of vitality and art and very interesting people…the joy was palpable. I digress, for, when my brother and his beautiful wife brought their kids to visit during the dog days of summer (when it was gloriously cool here in my part of the world, typically), what did I do?
Now, I have huge love in my heart, and nobody who knows me denies how much I love kids. But our hearts can be deceitful.
So, what did I do that was wrong? I chose a movie. A movie with good content, but also, infused with witchcraft. Now that I look back, that movie makes me cringe, even though it had no vulgarity in it. In fact, the movie was about family cohesion and victory over evil, but, in and of itself, the move isn’t good. My sis-in-law at the time objected and even took action to make sure we didn’t watch the whole movie. Her way of interjecting was brilliant, sparing me my feelings, for she knows to this day how much I love her and my brother and my two nephews and a niece. I was offended at the time, but something in me made me stay quiet and listen to her deeply. Now that I look back, I can see how loving she truly is and how her protective instinct for her kids kicked in at the time. Way to go, Sis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, she and I are still friends, even though we’ve had to talk in various seasons about some very tough stuff. Therefore, Brother Ray, keep it up. Keep sharing. Your work WILL stand the test of time.
Big old buddy hug here. -Tom
Brother Hugs Tom, thank you for your encouraging words! 🙂
I have to agree with you, though I did enjoy believing in Santa as a child and have fond memories of Christmas. But, God was also given honor then, and midnight mass was a big thing. I remember trying to stay awake to go to midnight mass! Now though, God is completely excluded and it’s become a season of ‘wanting more’ and of excess in everything. It’s sad to see God excluded. And of course, Christmas starts so early now that by the time Christmas day arrives, many people are exhausted from the bombardment of advertising, etc. I know I am. I actually like Christmas less and less! Best wishes Ray
Jesus Bless you Audrey. Thank you. 🙂