One may not consider the song “Santa Baby” to fit the mold of a Christmas devotional for a Baptist church, but I would argue such a belief means that you haven’t hung around Chad Eggleston, Joel Weaver, or Josh Borderud enough to know that Calvary consistently endeavors to not take itself too seriously. In that vein, I’ve endeavored to mine for the theological nuggets of truth found in this song, and if I’m being honest, they are quite profound.
In the first stanza, the singer begins her laundry list of requests for Santa to bring her with a fur coat. She goes on to ask for a convertible, yacht, a platinum mine, a duplex, checks, Tiffany jewelry, and a ring. It is evident that she thinks that her good behavior has made her worthy of all these lavish indulgences, proclaiming she has been an “awful good girl,” an “angel all year,” and that she really does “believe” in him. She obviously deserves everything on her Christmas list.
Her picture of Santa is similar to the way Israel interacted with God before and during their exile and in the intertestamental period. The Israelites believe they can do enough “good” things for God to be good in return. If they can just make good enough sacrifices, God will reward them, so they think. The stories of the prophets are a consistent refrain against this idea. God desires the cultivation of mercy, justice, and humility, not showy religion. Micah 6:6-8 describes the contrast between what the people think God wants and what God actually desires.
The other element we must analyze is the repeated refrain for Santa to hurry down the chimney tonight. This refrain is repeated 8 times in the classic Eartha Kitt rendition. This language of “hurry” bears a close resemblance to the story of the Jewish people. They have been waiting for a Messiah for quite a while, expecting someone who will come and give them their desired “Christmas list” of political and military domination of their Babylonian, Assyrian, and Roman oppressors (depending on which prophet you’re reading). But the savior to come is no Santa, baby. Jesus comes and shows us that our disordered desires, from fur coats to military might, are misguided. Instead, Micah 4:1-5 shares the response of the unhurried faithful: We will go to the mountain of the Lord’s temple and learn God’s ways so that we may walk with God forever.
Reflection
What is that one thing on your Christmas list you HAVE to get? What would it mean to be satisfied without it?
Prayer
God, in your kindness, teach us to desire the things that have meaning beyond our earthly existence. Show us our disordered desires and remind us how to order them according to your Kingdom, that we may walk with you. Surround us with community who reminds us of the message of salvation.
Rory is a first year Sociology PhD candidate at Baylor. He and his wife Elise love Calvary for the difficult questions we ask in this space. He enjoys board games, DIY projects, and lazy Saturday mornings with Lamar, his terrier.
