A gift for the naughty ones

So here we are in December and I am sure that when you are out and about, maybe doing a little shopping, that you are hearing some typical things.  The Christmas music is playing just about everywhere you go.  Jingle Bells and Silver Bells and everything in between.  It's all so festive and wonderful!  I love this time of year!

In addition to hearing happy Christmas songs, I'm guessing you are probably hearing much about a certain giver of gifts.  Though he doesn't really exist and he doesn't really give any gifts at all, much time and effort are spent to tell children all about him.  On the surface it seems to be wonderful and magical but really it is a cheap substitute for the awe and wonder of what is true, real and eternal.

I was saddened by something I saw while shopping in a store recently.  There was a fussy child at the front of the store.  A store clerk decided to take it upon herself to "help" and with animated expression says to the child "You had better be good because Santa is comin'!  And if you're not good he won't bring you any presents!  So you're gonna be good, RIGHT?"  This was not just a funny comment to make the parents chuckle...this was spoken with what looked like sincerity.  The intent was for the child to wholeheartedly believe what was being said.    I just have to ask, when did it become a good thing to tell children something that we know isn't true and to keep telling them for as long as they are young enough to fall for it?  What happens when they learn the truth?  Shouldn't parents be concerned that their credibility will be greatly diminished in the minds of their children?

Less than an hour after the above incident, I saw a similar situation in the grocery store.  A store clerk was trying to motivate a child to be good so that they would get presents when Santa comes...what a faulty motive!  People (including children) should do what is right because of what God has said, not because they want something out of it.

I don't mind thinking of Santa as a fictional character and appreciating that there was once a man who had a very giving heart, but some have just taken this Santa thing way too far.  How sad.

Christmas is such a fun and wonderful time of year.  It should be a special season filled with all the wonder of the amazing gifts that God has given and continues to give...especially his Son.  He came because we couldn't be good enough to cover up our sin.  He offered the greatest gift of all.  Eternal life...  To all the naughty sinners who would receive him.  Now that is something to pass on to our children from generation to generation!