I am quite sure that all of you reading this will not be taken by surprise when I say, “Santa Claus is not real!” However, as a young child the anticipation that you and I felt on Christmas Eve was uncontainable. It was a magical time of life and one which many of us have fond memories. I could not wait to go to sleep and awaken to what I knew would be wondrous!
Now we get to experience that anticipation for something that is not fake, but is real. We have matured and come to believe in Christ, and know that the toys we received on Christmas were of no consequence compared to the everlasting gift of eternal life that was being offered to us.
My daughters have taken a different stance on Santa with their children. They have made it very clear right from the beginning that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus, and that the gifts we exchange are our way of celebrating Him. As much fun as Santa brought to me when I was a child, I admire them for keeping the focus true to what it needs to be. These children will not have to relearn what Christmas is truly about, as they are growing up surrounded with the true meaning. What is being modeled for them is the joy in the season for the right reason!
Matthew 1:21-23 CSB ‘She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophets: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”