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Jesus vs. Santa: Christmas Misunderstood
Updated cover edition found here.
Who influences our children more, Jesus or Santa? Is shunning Santa the Christian thing to do? Is Jesus alone enough to save us from the lure of Christmas?
In this edition of The Misunderstood Series, the author takes a closer look at the predicament Christian parents find themselves in each December, when Jesus, lying in a manger, must compete with Santa as children line up to sit on his lap. Follow along as Royle, in the tradition of “The Far Side” meets Deepak Chopra, helps readers connect the dots.
With a healthy dose of perspective for parents and self-help advice for people from all walks of life, this handbook is an interactive way to jumpstart a discussion with your family or church group about the two Stars of Christmas, Jesus and Santa.
Who influences our children more, Jesus or Santa? Is shunning Santa the Christian thing to do? Is Jesus alone enough to save us from the lure of Christmas?
In this edition of The Misunderstood Series, the author takes a closer look at the predicament Christian parents find themselves in each December, when Jesus, lying in a manger, must compete with Santa as children line up to sit on his lap. Follow along as Royle, in the tradition of “The Far Side” meets Deepak Chopra, helps readers connect the dots.
With a healthy dose of perspective for parents and self-help advice for people from all walks of life, this handbook is an interactive way to jumpstart a discussion with your family or church group about the two Stars of Christmas, Jesus and Santa.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2015
38 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Jason E. Royle
7 books34 followersWriting, for Jason, is a way to express the ongoing story of theology. With every book or article, he hopes readers get a sense of the complexity of God and the necessity of faith. Captivated by the spiritual component of life, Jason loves to read everything from the Greek classics to the Sunday comics.
Unafraid to tackle topics many people don't want to talk about, Jason has a concise, lighthearted style of writing about difficult subjects. From the serious to the humorous, Royle weaves stories that make you grin, ponder, and perhaps plunge anew into your own leaps of faith.
Unafraid to tackle topics many people don't want to talk about, Jason has a concise, lighthearted style of writing about difficult subjects. From the serious to the humorous, Royle weaves stories that make you grin, ponder, and perhaps plunge anew into your own leaps of faith.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 14 reviews
December 13, 2015
Jesus vs. Santa: Christmas Misunderstood is a thought provoking compelling read that addresses a question that plaques many parents especially during the holiday season.
As a Christian parent I have struggled with this question many times over the years. I always tried to instill in my children that Jesus is the reason for the season and that it's okay to enjoy the excitement of Santa as long as they always remember the true excitement of Jesus' birth.
I was anxious to read Jason's book and find out his take on the two biggest stars of Christmas. Since Jason is a pastor, I was expecting a one-sided argument about abolishing Santa altogether, but that assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. Jason writes his book from the heart, speaking from personal experiences with his own children. He remains unbiased as he compares and contrasts Jesus and Santa, inspiring readers to do the same.
I found the book to be extremely well researched and highly recommend picking up a copy. I am very much looking forward to more books in the Misunderstood series.
As a Christian parent I have struggled with this question many times over the years. I always tried to instill in my children that Jesus is the reason for the season and that it's okay to enjoy the excitement of Santa as long as they always remember the true excitement of Jesus' birth.
I was anxious to read Jason's book and find out his take on the two biggest stars of Christmas. Since Jason is a pastor, I was expecting a one-sided argument about abolishing Santa altogether, but that assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. Jason writes his book from the heart, speaking from personal experiences with his own children. He remains unbiased as he compares and contrasts Jesus and Santa, inspiring readers to do the same.
I found the book to be extremely well researched and highly recommend picking up a copy. I am very much looking forward to more books in the Misunderstood series.
December 8, 2025
A Bit Thought-Provoking
Jesus vs. Santa is a Christian look into the two biggest "characters" of the Christmas season and how they influence our children. At the same time, though, the book attempts to provide the reader with not only the similarities of the two but with information that allows us to build up our relationship with Christ to put Him back front and center while at the same time holding Santa in the moment - a basic hold your cake and eat it too. There is no mention as I would have thought in which the debate was made that St Nicholas should not be set on the same pedestal as his Master.
The book has a chapter that is mostly dedicated to the similarities of the two and to bring up points for Santa are included comics with one I found to be in really bad taste.
Otherwise I also found it strange that a pastor would point out all the secular and almost idolatrous practices that help to make the season, even mentioning Krampus, and want to keep the "Two Masters" instead of just focusing on the One and Only.
All in all it does make you re-think the issue and hopefully that may be a good thing for your household...
Jesus vs. Santa is a Christian look into the two biggest "characters" of the Christmas season and how they influence our children. At the same time, though, the book attempts to provide the reader with not only the similarities of the two but with information that allows us to build up our relationship with Christ to put Him back front and center while at the same time holding Santa in the moment - a basic hold your cake and eat it too. There is no mention as I would have thought in which the debate was made that St Nicholas should not be set on the same pedestal as his Master.
The book has a chapter that is mostly dedicated to the similarities of the two and to bring up points for Santa are included comics with one I found to be in really bad taste.
Otherwise I also found it strange that a pastor would point out all the secular and almost idolatrous practices that help to make the season, even mentioning Krampus, and want to keep the "Two Masters" instead of just focusing on the One and Only.
All in all it does make you re-think the issue and hopefully that may be a good thing for your household...
December 3, 2019
Thought provoking
Albeit the story line is right, and definitely worth reading, I find some parts to be a little harsh. I don't think ALL children will think their parents lied to them ,the reason for the "harsh" word .
But I'm sure not everyone will have the same take as I , but to each their own.!
Albeit the story line is right, and definitely worth reading, I find some parts to be a little harsh. I don't think ALL children will think their parents lied to them ,the reason for the "harsh" word .
But I'm sure not everyone will have the same take as I , but to each their own.!
March 23, 2021
Interesting comparison
An easy read. Good reason ing and thought-provoking idea. Never considered this comparison before. Would have been great reading for my religious ed classes. Very thoughtful
An easy read. Good reason ing and thought-provoking idea. Never considered this comparison before. Would have been great reading for my religious ed classes. Very thoughtful
September 11, 2017
Interesting read.
Interesting on the comparison of Jesus and Santa. Some good facts to make you think. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Interesting on the comparison of Jesus and Santa. Some good facts to make you think. I really enjoyed reading this book.
December 5, 2017
Great book!
Easy read, light hearted but sound, biblical advice. Will be recommending this to our friends and family with young children!
Easy read, light hearted but sound, biblical advice. Will be recommending this to our friends and family with young children!
December 27, 2020
I learned quite a bit from this book. My children are all grown but recommend if you have young children ... read this book.
January 2, 2024
Not the most impressive Santa v. Jesus book.
It's a quick read
It's a quick read
December 9, 2025
Jesus vs Santa
Interesting reading. Very informative. Funny, honest and inspiring. Makes you think and feel. Well written and enjoyable. Loved it! Highly recommend this book!
Interesting reading. Very informative. Funny, honest and inspiring. Makes you think and feel. Well written and enjoyable. Loved it! Highly recommend this book!
September 16, 2016
This is a really fun book, and much needed. Jesus vs Santa is a battle that not many want to acknowledge is in our culture. With down-to-earth practicality and spiritual genuineness, Jason Royle writes out a great balance in how to approach Christmas.
Many Christians forget that the very people we teach about and live through in the bible, such as Daniel or Paul, often times lived in cultures that seemed to contradict their convictions, yet these people somehow maneuvered within their communities while inspiring unbelievers without sacrificing purity or relationship with God.
Jason goes on to explain the origins of Santa, and has cool illustrations as well comparing him along with Jesus. Jesus vs Santa is for people who understand relationship and not religion.
Many Christians forget that the very people we teach about and live through in the bible, such as Daniel or Paul, often times lived in cultures that seemed to contradict their convictions, yet these people somehow maneuvered within their communities while inspiring unbelievers without sacrificing purity or relationship with God.
Jason goes on to explain the origins of Santa, and has cool illustrations as well comparing him along with Jesus. Jesus vs Santa is for people who understand relationship and not religion.
December 10, 2015
Jesus vs. Santa is an unpretentious nonetheless intriguing book that all parents should read.
The author poses a tricky dilemma – how do we explain to our children the core difference between the earthly customs of Santa and the holy essence of Jesus?
No doubt that this is not an easy to answer question; and it emphasizes the difficulty in raising children in a modern world where the secularization of Christmas is dominant and taken for granted.
I liked the fact that the author doesn't come forward to indoctrinate, but instead gives some useful advice and food for the mind.
Overall, it’s a nice book with deep meaning; I totally recommend it.
The author poses a tricky dilemma – how do we explain to our children the core difference between the earthly customs of Santa and the holy essence of Jesus?
No doubt that this is not an easy to answer question; and it emphasizes the difficulty in raising children in a modern world where the secularization of Christmas is dominant and taken for granted.
I liked the fact that the author doesn't come forward to indoctrinate, but instead gives some useful advice and food for the mind.
Overall, it’s a nice book with deep meaning; I totally recommend it.
November 1, 2016
I won this as a GoodReads First Read winner. I wasn't sure exactly what this book would present as I personally do not have a problem with Jesus or Santa. I was interested to read this book and see where the conflict may come in. The presentation was well done and the author gave some ways to approach a situation where there might be a conflict. I found it a quick and interesting read.
November 26, 2016
Can Santa and Jesus co-exist?
As a Christian, do you "do" Santa, Jesus, or both? Will allowing children to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the tooth fairy make them less likely to think Jesus is real? This book takes a look at those questions and more, and proposes guidelines to consider as you decide these traditions for your own family.
As a Christian, do you "do" Santa, Jesus, or both? Will allowing children to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the tooth fairy make them less likely to think Jesus is real? This book takes a look at those questions and more, and proposes guidelines to consider as you decide these traditions for your own family.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 14 reviews