This week’s devotions are based on the Week 2 “A Savior Born for You! (WATCH HERE)
1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Warning: A little bit of downer on Santa Claus coming…
There are a lot of children around the world waiting today. They are counting down the days until Christmas morning. Perhaps there are calendars in their room when there wasn’t one before, or figures on the kitchen table marking “days until Christmas.” When you ask them what makes them so excited about Christmas, they respond, “Santa is coming!”
Ugg.
Around Christmas decorations one often sees the word “Believe” in various forms from wall-hangings to lit up decorations. People use the word around Christmas, but when you ask them in what they are to believe, they respond with, “Santa Claus,” “The hope of the season,” Or “You just have to believe in the season.”
Ugg.
What compounds the challenge is the word “Believe” next to the photo op with Santa. Kids can see Santa at the store, but if they try to stay up at night on Christmas Eve to see Santa, Santa won’t come. Confusing.
When you look at the passage above from 1 Peter 1:8, you could almost use this to teach Santa Claus to Kids. Joy comes as you believe Santa will bring you presents at Christmas. So you wait with joy and anticipation until he comes.
However, verse 9 changes our perspective off of Santa to the Manger.
The goal of the faith Peter describes is not presents on Christmas morning, but the Present that God gave to you and the world in the manger of Bethlehem. The goal of faith is the salvation of our soul and there is only one who can and does bring that to you at Christmas, Jesus Christ.
So a disclaimer. Santa can be a fun component of our cultural observance of Christmas, but let’s not the story of Santa overshadow the reality of our Savior. How can we help our children to have a greater sense of joy in waiting for Christmas than just the presents they get to open? How can we use our earthly gifts to remind them of the heavenly Gift that was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger? How can we help them understand the joy of Christmas is the reality that we get to spend an eternity with Christ?
You can’t physically sit on Jesus’ lap and tell him what you want for Christmas or in life, but you can have a relationship with Jesus and let him know at anytime whatever is on your heart or mind. Although you can’t see him, you love him. Although we can’t see him, what he did for us brings a deeper and more lasting joy than any physical gift we can receive this Christmas. So let this week remaining until Christmas not just be filled with busy preparations, but be filled with opportunities to fill your soul with joy as you await the opportunity to celebrate God’s greatest gift to you which gives you the greatest reality you could hope for, the salvation of your soul.
Apply: How can you use the time remaining until Christmas to instill anticipation and joy in your family for the day to celebrate Jesus’ birthday?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the joy you give when we remember the gift you gave that assures us heaven is ours forever. AMEN.