Gene Autry and the Theology of Santa Claus

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane.
Vixen and Blitzen, and all his reindeer Pulling on the reins.
Bells are ringing, children singing,
All is merry and bright.
Hang your stockings and say a prayer,
'cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

One of our local radio stations began broadcasting Christmas music on November first. Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week. Non-stop. By “Christmas Music,” of course, I mean secular Christmas Music. I don’t mean hymns and carols.

I remarked on this in a sermon, and said (again) that I am not a big fan of secular Christmas Music. In response, a friend gave me the new Bob Dylan Christmas CD, “Christmas in the Heart.” It is a strange thing to hear Dylan singing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “The First Noel.” But I liked the album and I found myself paying attention to the words in a new way. Which brings me back to Santa Claus.

The lyrics to “Here Comes Santa Claus” provide a wonderful insight into the theology of Santa Claus. But they tell us even more about the shared beliefs of Americans in the middle of the twentieth century. The song was written in 1947 by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman. Gene Autry, “The Singing Cowboy,” was in many ways the embodiment of early to mid twentieth century Americana. He sang from the heart of the national ethos. Autry was riding his horse, Champion (I think it was actually the second “Champion”), down Hollywood Boulevard in the annual Christmas parade, when children in the crowd shouted over and over, “Here comes Santa Claus!” As I listened to Bob Dylan sing it, I was amazed at the way secular ideas of Santa were mixed with traditional religious language. The secular (and selfish) admonition to “hang your stockings,” is immediately followed by the reminder to “say a prayer.”

In one phrase, characteristics usually ascribed to God are given to Santa, and in the next phrase we are thanking God for Santa’s impending arrival.

He doesn't care if you're a rich or poor,
He loves you just the same.

If that sounds like Santa is confused with God, the next lines correct that impression.

Santa knows that we're God's children,
That makes everything right.

And then the song closes with my favorite lines:

Peace on earth will come to all
If we just follow the light

So in a very strange way it is about God and Santa, and the Kingdom of God on earth. There is a vision that calls us back to the angel chorus in Luke’s account of the nativity. It comes from a time when our nation shared a broad theological consensus. The song and the images are the product of the Liberal Theology of mid-twentieth century America. It was vague and shallow, and naive, but it was also inclusive, hopeful, and ethically grounded. Sometimes Santa and God get confused. Other times we are reminded that the Christmas story demands a response. God provides the light. We need to follow it.

It’s simple but it’s true:

Peace on earth will come to all

If we just follow the light

The full text of

"Here Comes Santa Claus"

words & music by Gene Autry – Oakley Haldeman

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane.
Vixen and Blitzen, and all his reindeer
Pulling on the reins.
Bells are ringing, children singing,
All is merry and bright.
Hang your stockings and say a prayer,
'cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Riding down Santa Claus lane.
He's got a bag that's filled with toys
For boys and girls again.
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle,
What a beautiful sight.
Jump in bed and cover up your head,
’cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane.
He doesn't care if you're a rich or poor,
He loves you just the same.
Santa knows that we're God's children,
That makes everything right.
Fill your hearts with Christmas cheer,
'cause Santa Claus comes tonight.


Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane.
He'll come around when the chimes ring out
It's Christmas morn again.
Peace on earth will come to all
If we just follow the light
Let's give thanks to the Lord above,
'cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

'cause Santa Claus comes tonight