It isn’t hard to guess that Curtis Becker might have a secret identity. The Waldorf, Md., resident and Defense Department contractor has a long, white beard, perfect for dressing up as — well, you know. Besides the normal holiday rounds at hospitals, women’s shelters and nursing homes, Becker is the founder of Santas for Christ, a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting people’s basic needs year-round, not just at the holidays. Like the United Way, Santas for Christ connects people with existing services, as well as fill in the gaps with food, clothing and volunteers. Becker spoke to The Washington Examiner about compassion, Santa Claus and the true meaning of Christmas. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?
I’m at heart a conservative evangelical Christian. In my church I serve as a deacon and music minister. I don’t believe any denomination, Protestant or Catholic, has all the answers, all of the gifts of the Spirit, or every tool God wants to use in a community. This is what led, in part, to founding Santas for Christ. We are constantly looking to identify the basic needs in our community, and ways to focus the resources in the community to meet those needs. Looking at the church in the book of Acts, that is what we believe we see God using as our model, and what we hope to build in each community we serve.
What do you think is the true meaning of Christmas? And how does that fit in with Santa Claus?
The true meaning of Christmas for us is the message of God’s love and hope for man, given in the person of Jesus. How does Santa get into this? Blame the early church. In the third or fourth century, they decided they wanted to have a solstice celebration to take a pagan holiday and add Christian flavors to it. They had a very clear understanding of when the death and resurrection of Jesus happened, but we never had a known birthday. You can’t nail it down. And there’s a reason for that: The message of hope and joy is something that should be shared throughout the year by Christians. Any way you look at it, what Santa should be depicting in the holiday season is everything about Jesus.
The traditions and the legends, how we decorate the trees, everything else, all points to the same truths. Martin Luther was one of the first to cut a Christmas tree. The star on the top of the tree goes back to the star in heaven that led the wise men to the Christ child. The presents under the tree trace back to the gifts the wise men brought the Christ child. Santa’s costume, red with white trim, is similar to a bishop’s attire in the early church, symbolizing purity and sacrifice. All of these traditions, coupled with the legends of Saint Nicholas [a Turkish bishop], filtered through European, British and American traditions and stories by [Washington] Irving and [Clement] Moore with the artistry of [Thomas] Nast, blend into what is depicted as Santa today.
Why use Santa for a year-round nonprofit?
In spite of the naughty and nice list, normally Santa is depicted as the spirit of joy for a child. And believe me, the number of children who have sat on my knee, the wonder in their eyes, the joy they have from it — it all depicts to me when Jesus says, “Let all the little children come to me.” It’s that childlike response and belief and wonder and joy that is the kind of spirit we look for from Santa Claus, which is what we want to share all year.
Some Christians think Santa embodies the materialist distortion of Christmas and refuse to allow their children to believe in him. What do you say to them?
Believe it or not, we’ve had some church leaders who have said, “The real word for Santa Claus is Satan Claus.” Yes, there is indeed a concern in the church about commercialism and getting gifts. What you’re missing is the other part of that, which is about giving. It’s about giving of yourself, of your time, of your love, of your compassion to meet others’ needs. … Santa can’t exist without Christ: Without Christ there’s not Christmas. Without Christmas there’s no Santa.
At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?
Jesus is the way, the truth, and our hope for life now and always. Faith is our willingness to step out without logical anchors, trusting in his providence to fulfill his purpose once we know where he is leading. For those that take the step, God’s abundance and grace can be overwhelming.
– Liz Essley
