At Christmastime, the figure of Santa Claus looms large. Many children eagerly await his visit, anticipating gifts if they’ve been “good” throughout the year. Santa, portrayed as a jolly, benevolent figure, only gives presents to those who deserve them. While this narrative may seem harmless, it introduces a subtle yet significant misunderstanding of what a “gift” truly is—and how this misunderstanding can distort our understanding of the gospel.
In many households, parents use the idea of Santa Claus to encourage good behaviour, telling their children that only the “good” will receive presents. This presents a view of gifts that is transactional: you earn them based on your actions. The myth, then, contributes to a troubling confusion about the nature of gift-giving, especially when it comes to the greatest gift of all—the gift of eternal life.
Gift vs. Reward: A Biblical Perspective
Biblically, the concept of a gift is vastly different from that of a reward. A gift is something given freely, with no expectation of something in return. The Bible teaches that eternal life is a gift, not something earned by works. In Ephesians 2:8-9, the apostle Paul writes:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
The word “gift” in Scripture is tied to God’s generosity, not to human merit. It is an act of grace—something unearned, freely given, and irrevocable. This is the very opposite of the logic behind Santa Claus, where presents are only given to those who have earned them by being “good.” If we carry this understanding into our spiritual life, it may lead us to mistakenly believe that we must earn God’s love and salvation through our own actions.
The idea of a reward, on the other hand, is something that is given in response to merit. A reward is earned through actions or accomplishments, and it is conditional upon meeting certain criteria. For example, in Matthew 16:27, we read:
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Here, the reward is linked to deeds—specifically the works that align with God’s will. The Bible makes a clear distinction between the gift of eternal life and the rewards Christians will receive for their service to God. The gift of salvation is freely given, but rewards are earned based on our actions.
The Dangers of Confusing Gift and Reward
The myth of Santa Claus is a convenient but flawed model for understanding God’s grace. When parents tell their children that presents are contingent on being good, they may unknowingly perpetuate the idea that God’s love and eternal life depend on our goodness or performance. This not only distorts the gospel but also leads to anxiety and insecurity in faith, as people begin to worry about whether they are “good enough” to keep the gift of eternal life.
In some cultures, this idea is taken further, with children being warned that their presents could be taken away if they misbehave. The popular refrain, “Santa knows if you’ve been bad or good,” can subtly shape children’s understanding of how love and gifts are conditional upon behaviour. Tragically, some Christians adopt a similar mindset: they fear that God will revoke the gift of eternal life based on their actions, creating a spiritual atmosphere of uncertainty and fear.
This is precisely what happens when we confuse the concepts of gift and reward. The Bible clearly teaches that eternal life is a gift that cannot be taken back once received. Romans 11:29 states, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Eternal life, like all gifts from God, is unconditional and permanent, regardless of how well we behave. God does not take it back because of our faults or failures. This distinction is vital, because it ensures that our security in Christ is based on His work, not our own.
A Biblical Model of Gift-Giving
When we understand that a gift is freely given and undeserved, we can begin to grasp the true meaning of the gospel. In contrast, rewards—whether in this life or the next—are given in response to our faithful service. The gift of eternal life, for example, is guaranteed by God’s promise to those who believe in Jesus Christ. However, it is only at the final judgement that rewards for works will be distributed.
The gospel, then, offers the best example of a gift that cannot be earned or taken away. Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, has secured this gift for us. It is available to all who trust in Him, and it is a promise that cannot be revoked, regardless of our behaviour.
A Call to Reexamine the Narrative
At Christmas, we must be careful not to let the myth of Santa Claus shape our understanding of gifts. If we view the gospel through the lens of Santa’s transactional gift-giving, we may wrongly assume that we must “earn” God’s love or worry that we will lose it based on our actions. This misunderstanding, in turn, clouds the message of grace, which is central to the Christian faith.
Instead, we should teach the true nature of a gift—that it is freely given, without expectation of return. When we help our children understand that gifts are acts of love, not rewards for good behaviour, we also help them understand the grace of God. Just as we cannot earn a Christmas gift, neither can we earn the gift of eternal life. It is freely given to all who believe, and it remains with us forever, despite our shortcomings.
By distinguishing between gifts and rewards, we can better understand the gospel’s message of grace.
Inspired by an older article of ours from our Italian blog, Per Grazia.
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