The Case for Kringle: God’s Christmas Missionary

Kris Kringle. Papa Noël. Sinterklaas. No matter the name, he is the beloved saint who brings Christmas cheer to millions of children each year. But not everyone sees Santa as a harmless holiday tradition. Some argue he's a distraction from Christ-or worse, a tool of deception, commercialization, and even spiritual corruption. Is he an innocent symbol of joy, or has he become a usurper to the true meaning of Christmas in a post-Christian world? Critics claim Santa encourages idolatry, borrowing too much from pagan traditions. Others say he promotes a works-based system of rewards, deceives children, and fuels the commercialization of Christmas. Bible scholar and lifelong Santaphile J. Kent Holloway takes a thoughtful, candid look at these concerns, weighing them in his own Naughty and Nice list. Is Santa truly a holiday villain, or might it be that Christians are overlooking a powerful opportunity? Could Father Christmas actually be an ally in sharing the gospel during the season when hearts are most open to the message of Christ? Engaging, thought-provoking, and full of holiday spirit, A Case for Kringle invites readers to reexamine Santa's place in Christian tradition-and perhaps to see him in a whole new light.