Christmas Songs-

While putting my make-up on this morning I was listening to Faith Hill's Christmas cd Joy to the World. Both kids were sitting on the bathroom counter "helping" me put my face on. The song Santa Claus is coming to town came on. The part where it says he knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you are awake... Jaycee immediately said "he doesn't know that." I said " sweetie, you are absolutely right. Santa does not know when we are sleeping or awake nor does he know if we are good or bad, b/c the Santa this song sings about is not real." So here began in my mind a discussion took place. We do not believe in Santa Claus, at least the one the world tries to sell us on. The truth behind Santa is from a man named, Nicholas. He was a man that loved Jesus very much. He lived that out in his life. There was a family in his town that had 3 daughters. This family was so poor that their daughters would not be able to marry b/c the family did not have a dowry to give with their daughter. Nicholas had compassion for this family. One evening Nicholas came by this family's home and threw a sack full of money in the window. The family did not know where the money had come from, but were thrilled for their oldest daughter. Nicholas also provided money for the other 2 girls. The dad of the family caught Nicholas on his last delivery. Nicholas pleaded with the dad not to reveal his identity. Nicholas' identity remained a secret until his death. The story of his life was share and he became known as Saint Nicholas. I so love this story and Nicholas' love for Jesus.

Now, back to my thoughts on the song. First, as an adult I know that this is just a fun little song to sing. Knowing that Santa isn't real and so forth, but for our children who we are training in God's ways how do they see it? This song is basically teaching that Santa is a god. How has this affected our world? We as humans have our standard of what good is, right? As Christians we have our standard as what is good, right? Good is God. Good is Holy. Good is Righteous. Good is Just. Good is Perfect. We as sinners are none of these. Jesus is the ONLY ONE who has these attributes. Only through death on the cross and His resurrection are we able to be looked at in this way. Its only trusting in Jesus that restores us to right standing with God. So as humans we start to compare ourselves to one another. We will always find others who we think we are better than, right?! So when Santa decides who has been naughty or nice what is the standard? Honestly, have you ever heard of someone not getting a gift for Christmas because he was found to be naughty? Therefore, every one is good enough. So comes in the reasoning as long as I am a good enough person I will go to Heaven. Which as believers in Jesus we know that this view is wrong. If we are only looking at human standards its sometimes hard to understand this view. But, when we look at God's standard then we see we have completely fallen short of the glory of God. The only way we can look upon God is to believe in Jesus.

I am thankful that God has already began to work in Jaycee's heart to know that He is the One true God. That there is no other who knows everything. That no one compares to our God. My heart for my kids is to have a deep passionate relationship with Jesus.That as they have questions they will seek Jesus and His truth. The truth of God's Word. They will not be like the boiling frog experiment. Seeing it in my on life I believe too many Christians have fallen to this. They have not pressed in to know God and to trust Him. It has led to lies beening seen as truth. Thankfully, as Christians we have the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth. We receive forgiveness and grace because of Jesus and His unconditional love for us.

These are my thoughts my convictions. I pray that my convictions will lead to repentance and to a life that is changed for the glory of God. I pray that I will not so easily sweep things under the rug or just pass them off as no big deal. I also pray that it leads freedom, freedom in Christ.