Len Hanley: Who does Santa Claus think he is by acting like Jesus?

To The Daily Sun,

Christmas has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. The Britannica Dictionary definition of Christmas is "A Christian holiday that is celebrated on Dec. 25 in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ." Yet, since 1931, Santa Claus has stolen Christmas from Jesus. One of the definitions of blasphemy is "the act of claiming the attributes of deity." Let's compare three things about what the Bible says about Jesus Christ versus what is said about Santa Claus, and show how Santa Claus is, by definition, blasphemy:

Jesus Christ is:

Omnipotent — All powerful. (Revelation 19:6)

Omniscient — Knows all. (Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20)

Omnipresent — Everywhere at the same time. (Psalm 139:7-10; Ephesians 4:6; John 3:13)

Santa Claus is:

Omnipotent — Can deliver all the toys of the world in one night.

Omniscient — Knows if every single child has been good or bad, for the entire year.

Omnipresent — Sees when you wake or sleep. Has to be everywhere at once to be able to deliver all the toys in one short night.

At over 30% of the global population, Christianity resonates with over 2 billion believers. There are approximately 450 million to 500 million atheists worldwide, which amounts to about 7% of the global adult population. Yet, in stores, advertisements, Christmas songs on the radio and public displays Santa Claus, who is basically a counterfeit Jesus for atheists, is the focus of 98% of the holiday. A holiday that belongs to Christians by definition. The same atheists, who claim they don't believe in the Bible or Christianity, will still bring lawsuits against those who display nativity Christmas scenes. How can it offend them as atheists? The good news is Jesus ripped up Santa's naughty list by dying for our sins. Which, among other things, makes him better than Santa. Happy birthday, Jesus.

Len Hanley

Barnstead