At
Christmas every year, we are reminded that a virgin bore a son, Emanuel, God
with us (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14). God's whole purpose in begetting His son
was to prepare a way for all of humanity to be saved from the penalty of our
sin.
Sadly,
the devil gradually changed the focus from the birth of Christ to the magic of
Christmas, Christmas as a time of miracles, and the power of Santa Claus to
know if we've been bad or good as he travels the world on Christmas Eve to
deliver toys to the good children.
Children
are encouraged to write a letter to Santa to express their wishes for gifts
they want to receive. Satan gives children the illusion that Santa will supernaturally
fly through the sky to their home to grant these requests. Yet, Santa is a
fictional character.
Commercialism
complicated the season by choosing certain toys as the most sought after item
of the year. Parents go to great lengths to procure these coveted gifts for
their children. They go into debt to give their children more than they
received.
Little
do we focus on the fact anymore that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us
(John 1:14). Our Messiah spent thirty-three years on this sin-cursed planet, and
suffered a horrid persecution and crucifixion in our place. When did Santa do
that?
St.
Nick graciously gave gifts to those in his neighborhood, and the myth has
perpetuated ever since. Rising to fame with alleged supernatural abilities that
he never possessed, he replaced the true reason for the season: that God
revealed Himself in human form so that we can spend eternity with Him
forever.
Prayer:
Father
God, forgive us for creating idols in our life and for lying to our children
about Santa's supernatural powers, which cause many to doubt Your supernatural
powers in our adult life. The world and the devil attempt to convince people to
believe in Santa, and the miracles of Christmas; and to deny Your existence and
the sacrifice You made for us.
So
many miss out on their union with Christ in us, because they are unaware of the
miraculous truth that He dwells within anyone who believes. Help us to be light
and salt in this world (Matthew 5:13-16), so that we can lift Jesus higher and
enable You to draw everyone to believe in You instead (John 12:32). Thank You for
coming as our Emanuel so that we can experience the depth of unity of our
intimate relationship with You on a daily basis (Galatians 2:20).
Thought
for the Day:
We
live on this earth, but it is not we who live, but Christ who lives within us,
empowering us as God's emissaries to our family, neighbors, community, country
and the world; as we show Gods agape love to others, they may come to know
God's love in their own life as well.
