monthly thought
Message
Who do you want for Christmas?
Reflect
In 1931, a graphic artist called Haddon Sundblom
came up with the modern image of Santa. You
know, the big man in red? Sundblom was working
for Coca Cola who were looking for new ways to
sell their drink.
What a success story!
Now, all over the world, children are told that if
they're good enough, a strange fat man in a
red suit from a North Pole factory with magic
elves and supersonic reindeer will come to
their house and… break and enter.
But isn't Jesus the reason for Christmas? So
why are people swapping Jesus, who is real,
for Santa, who isn't?
The real magic of
Christmas is that Jesus came amongst us to
save 
us. And Christianity stands or falls on
the historical facts of this wonder.
How many times have we heard people say
how disappointed they were to discover that
Santa's a
fake? Yet the big man keeps on
keeping on. Can we really expect children to
trust us about important things if we're not
straight with them? And the true message of
Christmas is not a myth.
Santa is such a poor deal compared to Jesus.
Where Jesus offers forgiveness and inner
peace by dying on the cross, Santa gives you
plastic trinkets made in China.
However the biggest issue is with what the
Bible calls GRACE or
"undeserved mercy".
With Santa, being good really matters. If
you're good enough you'll get presents.
Remember, Santa brings presents to those
who've been good throughout the year.
Jesus came amongst us because we couldn't
fix up the mistakes we've made with God.
Santa's reward system says otherwise. After
all I got a present didn't I? But Jesus knows
we need help because being good all the time
is impossible. It's why kids with sore
consciences can sleep sweetly through the
night – and adults too!
This is what the Angel of the Lord said to the
shepherds watching their flocks on the night
Jesus was born:
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord".
So this Christmas, let’s celebrate Jesus.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the greatest Christmas gift of all, your son, Jesus Christ who came so that we might live with you forever.
Amen.