Every December, millions of families participate in a familiar ritual. Milk and cookies are placed on the fireplace, stockings are hung, and children are told to be “good” so that Santa will deliver gifts. On the surface, it seems innocent, a fun part of holiday tradition. But if we examine it closely, the practice mirrors a form of worship. By preparing offerings and expecting blessing in return, we are engaging in a ritual that is strikingly similar to how humans historically approached a deity.
Santa Claus, in this sense, functions like a god. He is omniscient—he “knows if you’ve been bad or good,” omnipotent—able to deliver presents to every child in one night, and omnipresent—seemingly everywhere at once. The offerings of milk and cookies, along with Christmas decorations, form the trappings of an altar: a place prepared to honor and petition a higher power. Even if we know he is imaginary, the act of ritualistic giving and expectation of reward mimics the worship of an idol. The Bible warns against this. Psalm 115 reminds us that idols “have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see… Those who make them are like them.” When we celebrate Christmas in a way that centers Santa, we participate in a symbolic worship that is empty, but spiritually consequential.
Some might argue that children are taught the truth, or that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus. Yet the myth of Santa is deeply intertwined with Christmas traditions. Trees, stockings, lights, and even the timing of gift-giving are inseparable from the Santa narrative. Recasting these symbols as part of Christian celebration does not erase their origin as a secular “god” whose favor is earned through offerings and obedience. The Bible is clear: God desires worship on His terms, not a blend of pagan-inspired practices (Deuteronomy 12:29-32).
This is why my family chose a different path. Instead of celebrating Christmas, we observe the eight Biblical feasts outlined in Leviticus 23. These feasts are rich with meaning, rooted in God’s instructions, and point directly to Jesus. Unlike Santa, these celebrations are not about ritualized performance for reward, but about remembering God’s covenant, His provision, and His salvation. They provide structure for spiritual reflection, community gathering, and honoring God without compromise.
In a world that equates tradition with faith, it is easy to participate in rituals without realizing their spiritual implications. Milk and cookies on a fireplace may seem harmless, but they are a form of offering to a false god. By understanding the origins and symbolism of our celebrations, we can make intentional choices about how we worship. For my family, keeping the Biblical feasts has been a profound blessing—far more meaningful than any Santa-themed tradition.
Christmas may be widely celebrated, but it is not neutral. Every ornament, every gift, every cookie on the fireplace altar carries a story. We can choose to participate in that story, or we can return to the practices God commands—celebrating Him on His terms, through feasts that are timeless and spiritually alive.
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