Christmas

Even non-Christian nations celebrate Santa and Christmas without the Christ. When I lived in China, and Indonesia I was surprised by all the Christmas decorations merchants used to entice shoppers to their stores. Merchants, whether they are muslim or buddhist, love Santa and use his jolly figure to sell just about everything.

Merchants and advertisements build an anticipation about gifts – until the getting and wanting and listing goes on and on in an unending shopping spree that leaves everyone exhausted, in debt, and VERY avaricious.

This is not the Christmas I want. This is not the Christmas I celebrate.

I like the quiet brown bag at the mail box for food donations. I like the heart felt hymns of Christmas – the Christ child and the Angels – and the shepherds. Through song, I feel the reverence of that Holy Night of Miracles and wonder at so helpless and precious a gift that is the Son of God.

What a Gift Heavenly Father gave us in Jesus Christ! With His Blood He bought us. In His mercy we can be forgiven and sanctified to live with Him again. Death has no sting for any of us and Eternal Life is an inheritance He offers to share with us!

Has there ever been such selflessness?

So then, why talk of Santa Claus? Why invent someone who gives gifts?

Let’s celebrate Jesus Christ and His miraculous gifts this Christmas!