My sister and I drove around to look at homes gaily lit for Christmas. Some people go all out to decorate. We saw some real beauties. What fun!
One resident decorated his home from top to bottom, inside out, and back to front. Along with the figures, the lights, and the moving parts, music played carols. We had to stop a while to gaze at this display. We were glad we did. Santa Claus emerged with a HUGE, “HO HO HO.”
What a joy to see such pleasure in the season.
Another thing occurred to me. Lately I have seen drawings and hearing stories of how Santa first visited the Christ Child at His manger bed. Hat in hand and on his knees, Santa worshipped the Baby before going on about his business. Fancy, of course, but sweet.
My children always knew the truth about Santa Claus. But it didn’t stop us from having fun with him. Our emphasis was always on the real Truth–that Jesus came to earth to become one of us so He might show us His Father and give Himself as a sacrifice for us. Then in His sacrifice, we are redeemed to spend eternity with Jesus and the Father who designed the plan for our redemption. What could be a better reason for celebration?
The Santa at the highly lit house gave us candy canes. Lately, a legend has emerged about the candy cane. It, too, is fantasy, but I like it. I like that Santa hands them out as another reminder of what Christmas is about. Shaped like a shepherd’s staff, the candy cane reminds us that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We, the sheep, are pretty unruly and need a Shepherd pretty desperately! The white, as the legend goes, is for His purity. The red stripes are representative of the lashes He took for us.
I’m ok with this reminder. It doesn’t matter to me that this is one of those “urban legends”. It’s another reason to celebrate Christmas. So, again, I really liked that Santa gave us candy canes!
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night” AND…
Be blessed because, “…I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:10,11.
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