The True King of Christmas

[Silvia_Lee]

During the holidays, it's easy to view Santa Claus as the King of Christmas. After all, you see him everywhere: on storefront displays, on Christmas cards, and adorning the lawns of homes in your neighborhood. You hear about him in songs piped into stores and blaring from the radio. For many kids and their parents, Santa is the main topic of conversation this time of year. But the mythical Santa isn't the King of Christmas; he's the King of Commercialism. The true King of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the King of Compassion. Let me give you a few reasons why Jesus is more kingly than Santa:

Santa's only make-believe. Jesus is "alive forevermore" (Revelations 1:18).
Santa lives at the North Pole. Jesus is "not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27).
Santa comes but once a year. Jesus is "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
You have to wait in line to see Santa. Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).
Santa has a belly "like a bowl full of jelly." Jesus has a heart full of love.
Santa allows you to sit on his lap. Jesus wants you to rest in His arms.
Santa offers only, "Ho, ho, ho!" Jesus offers help and hope.
Santa says, "You'd better not cry!" Jesus says, "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh" (Luke 6:21).
Santa comes down the chimney uninvited. Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks, gladly entering when you invite Him in. "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).
Santa's little helpers make toys. Jesus makes new lives, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes, and is building many mansions: "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).
Santa may make you chuckle, but Jesus gives true joy: "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11).
Santa puts gifts under the tree. Jesus became our gift and died on a tree: "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24).
Who is the king of your Christmas—the King of kings or the pretender to the throne? This holiday season remember to worship Jesus, the King of Compassion. He came to give you the only gift that will last: eternal life. Display your allegiance to Him by adorning your heart with His love, singing songs about His birth, telling those you love about the King born in a manger, and spreading His joy to everyone you encounter.

In His strong love,
Skip Heitzig