OK, I'll take a chance and mention the jolly old red-suited man in the church bulletin.  This piece is not to speak of the merits of whether or not to teach Santa to our children.  What I would like to speak of are the words to that song.  "He's making a list and checking it twice.  He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice."  I suppose that every child who has ever believed in Santa has been promised "coal in their stocking" based on the words to that song.  I suppose also that every parent of such a child has used the words of that song to extort a little extra good behavior around holiday time.  In my view, it's all just good clean fun. 

Unfortunately, this is how most of the world views God and His judgment.  They see it as simply a list of who is naughty or nice.  Oh yes there is a list.  (Rev 20: 15)  And the naughty won't be on it. (Gal 5: 19-21)  But things are not as simple as all that.  Romans 2: 6 - 8 records, " (God) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath."  Yes, we're to be judged according our deeds.  But our good deeds must be done to seek for glory, honor and immortality.  In other words, we must be working to please our Father, and not simply to be nice.  The reason we do this is because we've already been condemned as naughty, and only have opportunity for salvation because God was nice.  (Rom 3: 23 & 24)  We cannot be nice enough.   

When Paul spoke of God's list, he mentioned that fellow laborers were the ones listed.  It takes work to be on God's list.  Jesus mentioned that many (not a few) would be surprised to find that their names weren't on the list on that Day.  (Mt 7: 21 - 23)  This is to be because they have not done God's will, even though they had done "many wonderful works."  It’s important that we know God's will.  That comes from study.  It is even more important to do God's will.