It’s Baby Jesus AND Santa Time!

The competition is real! Baby Jesus versus Santa! I’ll admit it. I cringe a little when Jesus and Santa get the same “top billing”. THE One is very real and the other is make-believe and THAT one’s promises are based on what someone delivers or not. I was amused when at my church a couple of weeks ago, St. Nick (the original “Santa”) was in the Parish Hall for those sweet, traditional “St. Nick aka Santa” photo opportunities. Then, at church in Austin, Santa showed up for photos, too. I get it. It’s a subtle way for families to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth and give them photo opportunities. Lately, good old St. Nick aka Santa, in all his red and white glory, has been seen at churches, malls, and holiday parties. Man! Does Santa ever get around!!!

We sure boost the support of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to our children. They learn that a mysterious guy in a red and white suit can see them when they’re sleeping and awake. He even sees them when they’re good and bad, so we reinforce that they’d better be good….for goodness sake. We take them to see Santa and encourage them to tell him what they want for Christmas. And, if that’s not enough…..we tell them that he’s coming down the chimney and he’ll show up with their wishes – so they must be sure to leave cookies for him because he’ll be very hungry as he flies in a reindeer-driven sleigh, delivering his gifts to children all over the world. And, to further spoofing them, many folks will go to their rooftops and make stomping sounds, while ringing sleigh bells. Doesn't that make your brain go TILT, even just a little bit?

I encouraged honesty in my children from the get-go, not giving a second thought to the possibility of dishonesty about Santa. Oh, how I wish I had given them the true story of a mythical Santa who was clearly founded in St. Nicholas who honored Jesus Christ with his life and his possessions. St. Nicholas (St. Nick) gave freely of his riches to benefit those who were less fortunate than himself. "Giving” is clearly one of Christianity's guiding principles in Scripture -- to care for the poor. Now, being much wiser and thriving on honesty and truth, I look back and think “What were we thinking?” I desire to be honest in all my ways, so that those who follow my lead, are led closer to THE LIGHT than are being led astray. Truth is TRUTH – NOT stretching the truth, or “It’s so cute to see those little wide eyes of wonder."

Some may think this is a crotchety ole' gal’s reality, but, in reality, it’s the closer I get to the Baby in the Manger Who became my Savior, the more I want to be like Him, full of grace and TRUTH. “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

My little “Holy Family” and sign that says “Born this day, a Savior Who is Christ the Lord” seems like a meager attempt to celebrate THE ONE who Christmas is really all about. Hopefully, someone will see it and their attention will be drawn to think about the real Reason for the Season, but no question It seems lost amidst the gigantic Santa inflatables around the neighborhoods.

“Mommy, is there really a Santa Claus?” is a question that families ponder each year. I pray you seek God’s wisdom on how best to explain to them in “grace and truth”. 1 John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in TRUTH." And if TRUTH is told – may we give our families a True Story of love, peace, hope, joy, and compassion – the TRUE Christmas Story. What is easier to believe – Santa Claus or that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to earth as a baby, to a lovely couple and the shepherds and wise men came to see him and when they saw him, they worshiped him because he was the newborn King who would set them free - WHO SET US FREE? Christmas IS NOT a holiday. It is a HOLY DAY! May we honor the HOLY One Who really did come to give us the greatest gift -- Himself.