When children compare a seemingly insignificant baby born in a smelly stable and surrounded by rag-tag shepherds against a tiny, rotund man in a red suit, sitting in a large red sleigh full of toys, zipping through the sky pulled by flying reindeer, and joyfully yelling “Ho-ho-ho,” what would appeal more?
There is no contest here. Of course, Santa attracts their attention more than Jesus – especially with their parents’ guidance. Jesus lived in insignificance for thirty-three years and only had a three-year ministry, while supposedly Santa consistently granted wishes for every good girl and boy ever since St. Nicholas started his benevolent ministry to the poor, so there is no contest.
When Christmas magic allegedly happens every year through Santa, his army of tiny elves, and his “helpers” in stores all over the world, there is no contest. When the world emphasizes Santa’s imaginary magical powers and demotes or totally disregards the actual miracles of Jesus, there is no contest. When the Christmas story of Santa is read in most homes more religiously than the Bible, there is no contest.
When the more than three hundred prophesies about Jesus are rarely spoken of and Santa’s attributes are promoted for months of every year, there is no contest. Even when the eternally saving power of the blood and name of Jesus is mentioned, or His eminent return to earth to govern the nations is preached, people scoff.
They say, “You Christians have been talking about Jesus’ return for thousands of years, and He still hasn’t come.” Today, the reality of Jesus’ coming is closer than it was yesterday. He is taking thousands of years to come again, because He desires that no one should perish in the confines of the flames of hell but that everyone should come to Him in repentance (2 Peter 3:8-10; Luke 16:19-31).
God provides every authentic Born Again Believer with an eternity of security and blessings (Psalm 34:7-9). He is longsuffering when it comes to our iniquity, waiting for everyone to make that life-giving choice to repent and to submit to Him (Mark 1:15). All He requires from us is to turn away from chasing this world’s dreams and goals, and to believe in the saving work of Jesus on Calvary’s cross.
God’s grandest hope is for everyone to totally surrender our life and desires to His generous and fulfilling will for us each day of our life. When Jesus does indeed return to earth, the concept of this comparison between the Jesus and Santa ends on this terrestrial plain of life. Santa’s imaginary story deflates at the moment that life on this earth is ceaselessly altered by King Jesus forever.
Prayer:
Father God, when the cup of Your wrath over the injustices and atrocities of this world is full (Revelation 14:10), Jesus will come for His Bride – those who made themselves ready (Revelation 19:7). Thank You that seven years later, He will return to earth with His Beloved army of Saints who are bought by His sacrifice, and He will cleanse the world of all sin by defeating the armies of the earth with a word from His mouth (Revelation 16:14-16, 19:11-21). We look forward to Him taking the government on His shoulders and constructing His eternal Kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7).
We thank You for Your mercy and grace that gives everyone ever born – even those born during the millennium of His initial rule (Revelation 20:1-3) – with the free gift of eternal life (Romans 3:23, 6:23). We so appreciate the presence of Your Spirit within us who sanctifies us with His fruit, guides us with Your peace (2 Corinthians 1:22), and guarantees that Your promises are true and certain (2 Corinthians 1:20). We give You all the praise and glory both now and throughout our eternal union with Your presence.
Thoughts for the Day:
Satan cleverly designs his deception to appeal to the carnal mind, and his empty promises are so alluring to the fleshly human nature that the only way we can resist them is to completely trust in the saving work of Jesus on Calvary’s cross. Satan, in the disguise of a beautiful serpent in the Garden of Eden, asked Adam and Eve, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1-8), and he uses those same doubts to entice people even to this day and age of supposed “enlightenment.”
