He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.
Santa Claus is a Christmas icon based on the fourth-century bishop St. Nicholas.
While Nicholas was known for his generosity and miracles towards those in need, Claus seems to have some hidden motives behind his holly jolly facade.
In the song, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” it is said that Santa, “Sees you when you’re sleeping and he knows when you’re awake,” confirming he is watching children at all times especially during the holiday season to see if they’ve been naughty or nice.
It is not only Santa who is watching the children, he sends out his elves, who work for free, might I add, to report on the behavior of children.
This is wrong for three reasons.
Reason one, it is normally frowned upon, and some may say illegal, for old men, regardless of their status, or little elves to be watching young children 24/7. That is a safety issue and it should be a concern for parents.
The second reason is that it teaches kids bad habits like only being on their best behavior when there is a reward on the line, completely disregarding the spirit of Christmas and the idea that it is better to give than to receive.
The third reason is the concept that Santa knows if you’ve been bad or good, alluding to the blasphemous idea that Santa is on the same level as God, where he can make judgements on the behavior of young children.
Aside from the confirmed child surveillance and the blasphemy allegations, Santa also possesses the skills of a highly trained burglar.
He sneaks in through the chimney to put presents, if you’re good, or coal, if you’re bad, under the tree. Then he helps himself to cookies and milk after his successful home invasion.
If your home does not have a chimney, he forges a key out of “magic,” and shrinks himself to go through the keyhole. Or, he enters through an unlocked window and walks right in like he owns the place.
On a random Tuesday night, if such actions were to occur, the police would’ve been called immediately. But those same alarms are not sounded when it comes to this Christmas criminal.
Some may argue that it doesn’t make Santa a trespasser because he is an invited guest. Any guest I’ve had knocked on my front door or rang my doorbell and has waited to be invited in. They do not slip in through my chimney.
Teaching kids to be OK with someone sneaking into your home because they are there to bring you gifts is dangerous. Santa shouldn’t be an exception either.
Let’s not forget Claus’ violation of labor laws.
While Claus gets to relax in the North Pole, his elves are working tirelessly, 364 days a year, day and night, to make toys for children with no pay. To make elves work for free in this economy is diabolical.
However, there is a rumor that Santa’s elves receive some form of compensation like having a room to sleep in and Christmas cookies to eat. I am not sure if prisoners are given cookies while in the pen, but it still seems criminal to work long hours without overtime and the pay being nothing but a naptime and a cookie.
Presumably, the reason Santa gets away with not paying his employees is because they are classified as independent workers, which does not give them the same benefits as regular employees.
However, if your brand is being a jolly man who is giving and generous, why are you not giving your employed elves at least a Christmas bonus for their hard work in prep for the holidays? Hmmm, Santa?
Whether you believe Santa is naughty or nice is a matter of opinion. However, clearly Santa is a Christmas criminal, and justice needs to be served for all his loyal Christmas minions.