I mailed wish lists. I set plates of frosted cookies on the counter. I kept watch out the living room window, hoping to spy reindeer tracks in the snow.
Every once in a while I did wonder how those elves could replicate Barbie’s dream house exactly like the one sold in stores. Eh, no matter.
Because back then, Santa was magic. And I believed with all my heart that he loved me.
Today, of course, I’m a grown woman with two kids and a Christmas tree of my own and let me tell you, this Santa business? Overrated. Nothing but toy store hype. I no longer mail wish lists; I save them in my Amazon cart. Cookies are fattening, and reindeer don’t click! click! click! on the rooftop—they get cut into tenderloins after my husband’s hunting trips.
I mean come on, people. As if there’s really some big benevolent grandpa in the sky, just waiting to shower us with gifts.
Only a child could believe that.
Right?
“But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. And it was a happy day for him when he gave us our new lives through the truth of his Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family” (James 1:17–18, TLB).
Hmm. Maybe we grown-ups should believe in Santa again.
Not the chubby guy in the red suit. I’m so over that.
But the idea of a loving father figure watching over us, delighting in us, happy to grant us blessing after blessing—that is not fiction.
That’s faith.
It’s what Christmas is all about.
The real magic of this holiday began two thousand years ago in a barn, when God sent his Son to you and me as a helpless, wrinkly, newborn child. The angels—like elves, if you will—they sang over him, worshiped him, and to this day they still tend to the people the babe came to save.
Seems incredible, doesn’t it? Kind of like flying reindeer and a toy factory on the North Pole. But there’s a key difference between Santa and Jesus. When you sit in the Savior’s lap and decide to trust him with your heart’s desires, something amazing happens.
He crosses your name off the naughty list—forever.
Wow. Could there be any better Christmas gift than that?
So this year, whether your family observes jolly ol’ St. Nick or not, try tuning your heart to the real Father of saints. He doesn’t plunge chimneys or disappear when we reach third grade, nor does he need a sack full of shiny gifts in a sleigh. He has already given us so much more than we deserve.
I believe that—with all my heart. Will you?
Blessings,
Becky
Wonderful thoughts here to ponder. On this start of Advent, I have challenged my family to look for Jesus in small ways each day & then we are sharing how we each saw Him. I think as we truly look for Him, we will be amazed anew at the greatness of our Savior. Grateful to have been neighbors at Playdates this morning 🙂
What a wonderful habit to instill this season, Joanne. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing these thoughts!
I love this. I believed in Santa until I was fifteen, and honestly I believe that it helps to develop the habit of faith. Love your post.
I have never thought of it that way, Kaylene. Thank you for sharing this! We don’t actually do Santa with our kids, but we make sure the magic of Christmas is still there, built on faith in the Christ child if not the jolly Mr. Claus. 🙂 Blessings!
Hi Becky! Oh yes, I can definitely believe in the Father of all the saints. What a joy it is to have faith that has such deep traditions, but always holds the basic faith that we have been saved for always and ever. That’s Christmas gift for sure!
I know they’re fattening, but Christmas cookies are the BEST 🙂
Blessings,
Ceil
I was wondering where you were going with this, Becky! I thought at first that you were being a little “Scoogy.” But thankfully, you just set us straight on the true beauty and gift of Christmas! Hey, and I think we were on the same wavelength–I used that verse in my graphic for today’s post! Great minds … 🙂
Don’t stop believing!
Such a great way to think about Santa and the holidays!
What a perfect way to bring Christnas in the right perspective! I love this. Sharing it on my Facebook page today.
Thanks so much for sharing!