The Name’s Claus…Santa Claus – Real Life Downloaded (2024)

• Lesson 2
• Winter 2024-25
• By: RLD Editorial Team
• December 08, 2024

• Internet access

Most every kid in America knows at least two things about “Santa Claus.” One, he lives at the North Pole, and two, he delivers presents in a sleigh.

The idea of a Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver.) While he’s referred to as Santa Claus in English, there are many names for him in other countries and languages. Let’s take a look.

Play the following video for your students [1:44; stop at 1:29]: What Santa Claus Looks Like In Different Countries

Invite students to share which version of Santa was their favorite, as well as whether they were surprised by any of the Santas.

While the name and specific details of Santa vary from country to country, the spirit of a generous man sharing gifts with children remains the same. And, when you hear the name “Santa,” an image of a man with a red suit and long beard probably comes to mind.

A name can be a powerful thing. It’s not magic—calling a turkey “cow” won’t make it start mooing. But on the other hand, a name is a powerful reminder of who you are . . . or maybe who you want to be.

In the Bible, some names have a slightly different purpose. They’re still a reminder of qualities a person has. But the reminder isn’t just for the person with the name—it’s really a reminder to us of the way God shaped that person’s story. What’s the most important thing God wants us to recall about that person?

For example, Abraham means “father of many,” because he became the ancestor of the nation of Israel. Peter means “rock,” because Jesus made him one of the foundations of the Church. And then there’s the name we want to focus on today—Jesus. It means “rescuer” or “deliverer.”

• Why does the name “Jesus” have such significance to us as Christians? (It’s because Jesus has rescued/ delivered all of us from our sins!)

When people think of Christmas, they often think of two names. One of them is Santa Claus. But the very name of the holiday we are talking about—Christmas—should be linked to Jesus the Christ! That’s the important name! Santa’s generosity in giving gifts is good, but Jesus rescued us by giving His life.

Jesus’ name is a reminder of why we honor Him every week in church. God doesn’t want us to forget that it’s only Jesus who can deliver us from our sins.

Let’s dig deeper into His name as we look at a familiar passage from Matthew.

Resources: Santa Claus

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit:Bible-in-LifeorEchoes.

• Blank Christmas cards (1 per student; template here) Jeanne, the pdf for this card will be located in the file on Box
• Paper cutter or scissors
• Pens/pencils
• Optional: Hole punch, baker’s twine, jute, or ribbon

Before class, print and cut out enough blank Christmas cards so that each student has one. The template has two cards per sheet. Template here. (If your class is meeting online, you can send the template to students and invite them to print copies to bring to class.)

Just as hearing the name Santa may remind us of a Christmas tradition, every time we hear the name of Jesus, we get a reminder as well: He’s the Rescuer God the Father sent to deliver us from our sins.

• What do you think of when you hear the name of Jesus? (Accept all reasonable answers. Note: Depending on their experiences in church and life, not all students’ responses will necessarily be positive. Let them be honest about their feelings.)

The name of Jesus means something a little different to each of us. In Hebrew, it means rescuer or deliverer. If we believe Jesus rescued us from our sins, there’s one response we should definitely have: thanking Him for delivering us!

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have them ready at home). People send Christmas cards for a lot of reasons. Sometimes, we want to stay in touch with old friends. Sometimes, we just want to share a little joy. Today, use this card to thank Jesus for His Christmas gift to you: His life.

You can write whatever you want in this card—you and Jesus can be the only ones who see it. You can just write “thanks a lot” in the card and be done. But you can also choose to write something more thoughtful. Come up with two or three sentences that express your gratitude to God for the Ultimate Gift.

Give your students a few minutes to write in their cards. Optional: you might want to provide a hole punch and baker’s twine, jute, or ribbon so that anyone can make an ornament out of their card to hang on their tree or somewhere else at home if they want to. If time permits, invite volunteers to share all or part of what they’ve written. Remember, you told your students no one would read this but them and Jesus, so don’t require anyone to share.

When you hear the name “Jesus” this Christmas season, take a second to remember what it means. He’s the One who has rescued us from our sins! Then take another second to thank Him for delivering you. His life, sacrificed for us, is a greater gift than anyone will ever bring.

Close in prayer.