Every December, a familiar claim resurfaces — especially in Hebrew Roots circles:
“Santa is Satan in disguise.”
Jim Staley’s Truth or Tradition? teaching popularized the idea, but the evidence doesn’t support it. Here’s a quick breakdown of the major claims and why they fall apart.
Myth 1: “Santa = Satan because the letters match.”
Truth:
This is an English coincidence — and English didn’t exist when Scripture was written.
Letter rearrangement is not theology.
If it were, “united = untied,” and “earth = heart” would be spiritual conspiracies.
Myth 2: “Old Nick is a name for the devil, so St. Nick = Satan.”
Truth:
“Old Nick” became a rustic English nickname for the devil centuries after St. Nicholas lived.
Nicholas was a 4th-century Christian bishop known for generosity and orthodoxy.
You can’t retroactively redefine him through an unrelated English slang term.
Myth 3: “Santa is omnipresent, just like God.”
Truth:
Santa folklore says he visits many homes quickly, not that he is everywhere at once.
Speed ≠ omnipresence.
A UPS driver may hit 200 houses in one day; that doesn’t make him divine.
Only God is present in all places at all times. (Psalm 139)
Myth 4: “Ho, Ho, Ho” is a demonic chant.”
Truth:
“Ho!” was a typical English interjection (“Land ho!” “Wagons ho!” “Ho! Who’s there?” — Hamlet 1.1).
Santa’s laugh comes from 19th-century children’s literature, not occult practice.
The link to “the devil’s laugh” is a modern speculation rooted in medieval theater, not theology.
Myth 5: “Santa comes from Odin and pagan spirits.”
Truth:
The real historical development goes like this:
St. Nicholas → Sinterklaas → Santa Claus
No ancient Christian document, no medieval sermon, and no historian connects Santa to Odin.
Elves and reindeer come from Victorian children’s stories, not demonology.
So… Is Santa Demonic?
No.
Santa is:
- folklore mixed with Christian history
- optional for families
- harmless when framed truthfully
- not a deity and not a devil
Santa becomes a problem only if we let him overshadow Christ, not because he is spiritually corrupt.
What Christians Should Actually Focus On
- Keep Jesus central.
- Be honest with your kids. (See longer post for ways to be honest with your kids in a way that fits your Christmas keeping traditions and convictions.)
- Avoid fear-based teaching.
- Give grace to families who do it differently (Romans 14).
- Use the season to celebrate generosity, love, and the Incarnation.
Jesus is Lord at Christmas — with or without Santa. That’s where our confidence rests.
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