Santa is Top of Mind

Prologue

Family getting together, gifting each other and sharing a sumptuous dinner at home. Festive and colorful houses - Christmas trees loaded with adornments and glittering lights. Santa is word of mouth;  he is in all media, regularly made the icon of the season.

Giving gifts to friends, acquaintances, co-workers or employees. Charitable gift-giving activities.

Christmas concerts. Christmas carols everywhere.

Undeniably all these are good things; they spread pleasure and joy to both giver and recipient. But there's a bad and dark side. For centuries they have hidden the true meaning of the birth of Jesus the Christ. Worse, they have taken the place in the minds of many the deeper meaning and purpose  of Christ's birth.

Herod and Wise Men
Get it Right
Christ the Savior
Of Men is Born

Matthew 2:1-12 NIV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

                         “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
                         are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
                         for from you shall come a ruler
                         who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Epilogue

Christmas celebrations as we do them year after year has become the ultimate antichrist - substitute of Christ.

The varied festivities and joy-giving activities that many people do during Christmas has become the end by themselves. As a consequence, many come short of the required and meaningful response to the birth that leads to the model life, sacrificial death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ [the entire gospel], being commemorated every Christmas season.

The true response, which are thanksgiving, worship, glorification, trust, loyalty and love of the Father and the Son and fellowmen, are unwittingly set aside in all these Christ's birth memorials. As a result, many get just momentary or superficial happiness and euphoria out of the holiday events.

And after which, back to where things usually are. For after all, God in the person of Christ has not really entered people's lives.

On the other hand, remembering and living the true meaning of Christmas should bring permanent joy, inner peace and untold blessings. Then. we will see God's grace indwell many investing them power to live righteously and sharing love all around.