Do you ever wonder what the Christmas season would be like if there were no story about Santa Clause? How might people view the season? How might the reason for the season redirect many of our conversations? This article is not meant to discredit the fun idea of a fictional character in a red suit who makes children happy once a year by giving them presents for being good. I am curious how the season would be different if Santa had not intruded on the story of the Christ child.
First, among people that do not believe in Jesus, there would be nothing to celebrate. Second, among name-only "Christians," there would only be the celebration of the Jesus they do not know. "This is eternal life," Jesus said, "that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3)
Third, there would be only one priority among sincere believers in Christ who have turned from their wicked ways and worship the one true God. There would be only one person on their mind and only one person to tell stories about – The Lord Jesus Christ. Every story told would be about the miracle of the son of God. As a Gift, Christ came to Die.
Fourth, people would spend Christmas eve talking about the birth of the Savior born into the world and not wondering about the coming of a fictional and magical Santa. The focus of Christmas could be on the man that the baby Jesus became, the life He lived, the death He died, and the resurrection He accomplished. The most authenticated fact in human history, by serious historians, is Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
Alright, maybe Christmas would be lost as a holiday in our secular society. Perhaps we love to substitute the true for the false, like artificial foods, fanciful stories, idols, and the Christ of Christmas for a jolly giant elf.
How you spend your Christmas is your business, but I hope you won't miss out on what would otherwise be an excellent chance to glorify God without compromise or needless distractions.
If you want to hear more about the man the Christ child became, click the picture on your right.
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