Santa and Jesus

Jesus is coming to town. You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. He sees you when you’re sleeping; he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so please—be good. He’s making a list, checking it twice, going to find out if you’re naughty or nice. Jesus is coming to town.

Don’t we often live like Jesus is Santa Claus? Like children who want gifts instead of coal, we think we can convince God to save us by our good deeds. We attend church, give our change to the Salvation Army, pay our taxes, abstain from wine, obey the 10 Commandments. We work hard to be good, to right our wrongs, to keep our behavior excellent under His watchful eye.

But the message of Jesus differs dramatically from the reward system of Santa. If God had a good and bad list, He would write all our names under “Bad” (Is 53:6; Rom 3:10-18). None of us is good enough to warrant any presents from Him. And the punishment we deserve far surpasses a lump of coal.

But while Santa has a list, God has a book, the Book of Life. In this book are written all the names of those to receive the gift of eternal life (Rev 21:27). To get your name in this book, you have need of one thing only: grace.

At Christmastime we remember the baby Jesus born to live for God and die a sinner’s death. He, the Son of God in human form, took upon Himself our sins, those actions and rebellious attitudes against God and humanity that put us on the “bad” list. At the cross He bore the penalty for us. In His Son’s life, death and resurrection, God offered forgiveness, pardon, and redemption. Grace.

Because of His great love, God sent us this most marvelous gift wrapped in swaddling clothes. His message is not one of judgment according to a good/bad list, but a message of salvation (John 3:16-18) to all who believe. Grace.

To unwrap this beautiful gift we need only have faith. We believe with our hearts, profess with our mouths, confess that Jesus is our Savior (Rom 10:9, 10). Grace.

Since then salvation comes through God’s grace alone, let us stop living as if He is a type of Santa Claus. Why do we think that somehow our behavior will influence His favor toward us? The way of Santa is the way of the law, which Christ fulfilled and did away with ushering in the new covenant (Rom 8:1-4; Heb 8). The Gift has already been given, God’s favor on us bestowed. It is ours to receive, taking hold of Him through faith.

Instead of trying to gain God’s favor through our efforts, we need to rest in His mercy through Christ. Jesus labored for us, giving us what we could never earn. And as we tarry in His grace, His mercy and love will transform our hearts (Col 2:6).

So then let’s again rewrite the old Christmas tune.

Jesus came to town. He was watching out. He heard your cries. He never uttered a pout. He still sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows when you’re awake. He knows you’ve been bad but He’s been good for you, so please—trust in Him. He has the Book of Life, offering eternal life, the work is already done, take and receive, rest in His mercy. The Savior came to town.

Give Me Happiness, er, I Mean Joy

Often times I confuse happiness with joy. I’ve heard the differences between the two emotional experiences from pastors and teachers, but I still find it difficult to alter my desires. I want happiness more than I want joy. See, happiness tends to be based on our circumstances, whereas, joy occurs in spite of our surroundings. Most days, I want peace in my world, not just peace in my heart.

But I must face reality. God assures us we will struggle while on earth. I cannot trust then that I will find happiness. Perhaps there is more to joy than I realize.

Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, was a man well acquainted with grief and with joy. He had a sense of peace, contentment, well-being that sustained him more than his circumstances rattled him. Daily Paul faced trials such as beatings, imprisonments, hunger, poverty, shipwrecks. Yet he had peace. He had hope. He had assurance.

In his letter to the Philippians he shines the light on his pathway to joy. He writes, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4:13). His source of contentment? His relationship with Jesus.

Many of us have experienced relationships that gave us strength to endure struggles. Perhaps a close friend, parent, mentor, coach, spouse. Paul had the relationship of all relationships. He knew intimately the Son of God.

Knowing Jesus surpasses the experience we have with our closest connections on earth. In making Him our travel guide, spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer, relying on the mystery of His Spirit in us, we too can have enduring joy through any and all trials.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials; knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2-3). In all trials then we can experience this peace and joy that surpasses knowledge.

Life brings pain. Christ brings joy. We receive it as we learn to walk through life clinging to His hand.

Thought for the day: What are some circumstances in your life that have you down? How can you enter into the presence of Christ with your struggles?