The answer to this question may surprise you! In our society today it seems like the more one gives, the more recognition he/she receives. This is definitely the time of year when people have gift-giving in the forefront of their minds. I actually enjoy this time of year and the thought of giving, because we are never more like God than when we have a generous heart. However, saying that, there is a part of me that is saddened because more children are taught to believe in Santa as the giver of all good gifts rather than God. The giver of all good gifts, the best gifts in this life, come from above and not from below. (James 1:16-18)
We learned while studying Ephesians that God gave us the perfect gift of salvation, by giving us a very part of Himself; His Son, Jesus. Please read Ephesians 2:6-9, but pay particular attention to verse 9. There is no naughty and nice list, for we were all naughty and not deserving of anything good. God is not Santa and He wants everyone to have the same gift of salvation.
While on this subject of Santa, I would like to mention an important point. As children are developing their belief systems, they are very open to those things that appeal to their wants. I know from my own experience. I used to get very excited about waking early and rushing down to see what Santa brought me, and truthfully it was usually what I wanted because my parents would save all year to buy me the one big gift. This is where I would like to set forth a challenge for each of us as parents and grandparents. Even though I personally do not believe it is a salvation issue if one celebrates Santa or not, I believe Santa can become an idol. Because more thought is about giving to our kids than to the church. We know this to be true, through our time in the ministry. Secondly, we eventually learn who Santa is, a flawed individual. Sometime, when the gift giving ends, so does the relationship.
This is the challenge I am presenting, to whatever extent you teach your loved ones to believe in Santa and gift giving, give to the Lord most, not more but most. God is forever real and always has been. When we teach our children and our grandchildren about the perfect Giver and the perfect gift, we can all have, our children will be blessed forever and not for just a season. The inexpressible gift given is the gift of the giver himself. We give of our self to God first and then to our family. May God’s precious gift live on through the centuries though each of us. My prayer is the we can learn more about this inexpressible gift Sunday as we worship together.
In Christ,
Steve
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