santa_claus I assume the title speaks for itself. I also would assume that we know that God is not Santa Claus as a matter of fact. However I wonder sometimes, the way people talk about God,  if perhaps they are mistaken about just what the Nature of God is.

And whether they realize it or not, a lot of people treat God the Father like he’s the big guy in red. In fact we often picture God like he’s Santa Claus. He sits in a chair, with a big white beard, surrounded by helpers and takes requests from visitors about whatever their hearts fancy.

The prophet Isaiah offers an inside look at what it is like to approach the presence of God, and it is nothing like visiting St. Nick at the local Bass Pro Shops.

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah paints a picture of a Being so perfectly holy and so perfectly awesome in His presence and power that the angels before Him must cover their faces from His majesty, cover their feet from touching His integrity, and shout “Holy Holy Holy” nonstop.

Isaiah paints a picture of a Being so Terrible (in the classical sense, meaning He brings terror to those who see His awesomeness) and Awesome (meaning “He inspires awe”) that the very Heavenly throne room around Him shakes.

Isaiah paints a picture of a Being so Divine that to stand before Him brings to mind every sin and flaw and mistake ever made.

One does not simply approach this Being without either an invitation or a mediator. Thankfully for Isaiah he had an invitation.

Thankfully for us we have a Mediator Who has introduced us to this Great and Powerful Holy One.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

With Christ, we have a Mediator Who is God in the flesh. That Awesome and Majestic Being took on the life of a man and by virtue of His perfect life, personally introduces us to God (John 14:9-10).

So no, God is not Santa Claus; He is not a Being to be approached lightly. But through Christ, He is a Being we may approach boldly.

Have a great day!