Why Jesus Is Better than Santa Claus

santa

used by permission www.pexels.com

I know a lot of people who are struggling in many ways during this Christmas season.  Several are experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one.  Others struggle under the burden of a busier than normal schedule.  There is the pressure of attending special events, juggling the demand to visit pockets of family scattered here and yon.  We stress over selecting the perfect Santa gift for each person on a bottomless Christmas list. Moreover, we struggle to find creative ways to stretch an already overextended budget.

Through the “Santa Claus” ritual, we expose our children to the pressure of behaving to please a fictional character.  Why would we call a man a saint who would stalk little children? After all, he meticulously keeps and checks a list of every good and bad deed and thought they have? We pressure ourselves to conform to others’ demands on our time and finances.

Better Than Santa

I know I sound a little like the second coming of Ebenezer Scrooge. However, let me remind you that Christmas was never intended to be about demands on us.  Christmas is not about us at all, it is about Jesus.  It is not about what we do, but a reminder of what He has done.  Christmas is not about performance, it is about GRACE.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.   John 1:14, 16

Do not judge this Christmas by your ability to meet someone else’s demands. Also do not grade your Christmas by your success at making someone else happy.  Judge this Christmas . . . and EVERY DAY . . . by the price tag God places on you.  To Him, you are worth Him sending His Son to die for you. From Him we receive not just a “little dab” of grace, but we receive grace upon grace…stacked up…piled high…sufficient grace, and then some.  Click this link to see how you can experience this kind of grace.

This Christmas remember that YOU are the Son of God’s gift to His Heavenly Father.

Pastor Appreciation Gift Ideas He Will Love

pastor appreciation gift

In Church circles, October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  Church members across the country are seeking the perfect pastor appreciation gift to demonstrate how they feel about their pastor.

The most unique gift I received over the years was a book of sermons from the donor’s favorite preacher.  Implicit was the suggestion that I would be better if I preached like the author.  I doubt I ever lived up to that donor’s lofty expectations.

However, I am thankful that God has blessed me over the years with some great congregations to lead.  Most of those congregations showed my family and me appreciation year-round.  I am blessed now to pastor the good people at Bellevue in Macon.  They took a chance on me when I thought no one else would, and I hope they have no regrets.

[Tweet “Remember important dates in your pastor’s life…”]

Read More