I haven't written in awhile...mainly because I have soooo many thoughts rolling around in my head that I don't know which to write about! So, I've decided to begin with the first thought that occurred during Christmas! As we continue with the fabulous year...it seems fitting to reflect on Christmas!
Santa...did you know that Santa and Satan are just the same letters reassembled? So...let's think about this concept for a mome. Santa is from the secular world...to be embraced and revered. We focus our children on being good or Santa won't bring them gifts! Children work very hard...the WHOLE month of December to be good! After all... Santa has a list of who is naughty or nice! Children...and so do we...want LOTS of presents! We even cook cookies to set out for the coming of Santa and his journey down our chimney!
On the other hand...we have Jesus! Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of His birth! Last time I had a birthday...I received birthday gifts. Shouldn't we shift the focus of Jesus's birthday from US...to Jesus? Shouldn't He receive gifts...and not gifts for our own self? What gift could Jesus actually receive from us..since He isn't here? I can think of a few...celebration of Jesus and His life...worship. The gift of giving of our time to those that need it the most...service. The gift of family....and sharing that spirit with those that have lost a loved one or have no family...love.
God has a naughty or nice list that we should focus our children on...as well as ourselves. This list is far more important than Santa's list. We have to work to be on the nice list 365 days a year...every year. Not just the month of December. If we make the good list...we receive the greatest gift we could ever receive...eternal life. If we make Santa's good list...we receive material gifts. We receive these whether we give a gift or not. To receive God's greatest gift...we must give of ourselves. We leave cookies out and wait for Santa to arrive...anticipating what he has for us! What do we do in anticipation of Jesus returning? If He came right this second...would you be happy to see Him and welcome Him? Or would you have regrets? Do we think of regrets when waiting for Santa? Why don't we set out proverbial cookies in anticipation of Jesus returning?
So...Santa is Satan's way of refocusing every one of us away from what Christmas is really all about and what we, as Christians, should be doing to celebrate! We need to put the focus back on Jesus...and not on our own self. Mid-January...is an appropriate time to reflect on Christmas and begin to make changes within ourselves so that we throw the very best birthday party for Jesus this next Christmas!! I think He deserves an over the top celebration...after all...He did live and die so that I will receive the best gift ever...eternal life! I can't thank Santa for that...but, I can thank the one who doesn't give me a lump of coal when I am bad at times...but gives me forgiveness so that I will remain on the good list! Thank you, Jesus!
May the light of God and His peace be with you this day...and every day.
