“He sees you while you sleep. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you have been good or bad. So be good, for heaven's sake!” (Coots and Gillespie). Man is omniscient, benevolent, loving, generous and kind. He can see people's every action and keep a list of the good and bad they have done. It rewards if they have done good and punishes if they have done bad. He lives far away, in a mystical, magical, unexplorable place. His name is Santa Claus. Or is it God? There are undeniable parallels between the two. They are magical, mystical and go beyond the natural world. Santa Claus is very similar to God. In fact, children take a similar approach to Santa Claus as they would to God. First, the most obvious similarity between the two is that God and Santa Claus are both omniscient (all-knowing). They can see everything that happens and are known to keep track of the actions of the people they watch over. However, God has the additional ability to be omnipotent (omnipotent). Not only does he know everything, he can do anything. Santa Claus keeps track of good and bad deeds and gives gifts, or refuses gifts accordingly. While God keeps the accounts and can punish or reward in infinite ways. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. . .” (NIV, Rom. 6:23). Belief in Santa Claus or God comes with the recognition that He can see every action and that every action has a consequence. Secondly, the methods used to communicate with Santa Claus and God are very similar. Each is a one-way calling from the individual to benevolent being. Letters to Santa Claus are no different from prayers. In truth, a child is more likely to ask Santa for a tangible object, like a bicycle. However, that's not the case... middle of paper... when no one is looking. They give faith that there is something greater than anything that can be seen with human eyes. Likewise, there is something powerful about having the ability to give up that belief if the time comes. Santa Claus and God both represent goodness and greatness that are beyond the reach of man or child. Works Cited Barry, Kevin T. "Introduction." Journal of Pastoral Counseling 44 (2009): 2+.InfoTrac Religion and Philosophy Collection. Network. March 16, 2011. Coots, John Frederick, Haven Gillespie. "Santa Claus is coming to town." November 1934.Romans. Holy Bible: new international version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984. Print.Slotterback, Carole S. “Terrorism, Altruism, and Patriotism: An Examination of Children's Letters to Santa Claus, 1998-2002.” Current Psychology 25.2 (2006): 144-53.ProQuest Psychology Journals. March 16. 2011.