I knew God. Of course I knew Him. I visited Him in church on Sundays. I said grace before meals and prayed the “now I lay me down to sleep” bedtime prayer every night. Sure I knew Him. I always prayed to Him before I took any test in high school and college, and whenever I’d apply for a job, we spoke. So yeah, I knew Him. Of course I did. But He wasn’t all that.
He didn’t leave money under my pillow like the Tooth Fairy did. He didn’t bring me a basket of goodies on Easter morning like the Easter Bunny used to. And He sure didn’t leave presents under my Christmas tree like Santa Claus did. He was no competition for Santa in my book. I mean, He didn’t have flying reindeer and couldn’t make toys. He didn’t have magic and couldn’t fly around the world in one night. He didn’t have cute little elves who worked in a toy factory all year long, and He didn’t give presents like Santa did. He was no match for Santa Claus.
Then things changed, and Santa and God were neck in neck in my eyes. One had a list he checked twice to figure out who was naughty and nice. The other had no list, yet . . . He always knew who was naughty and nice. No list needed. They both gave the gift of hope to so many, many folks. Hope for kindness and love towards others. Hope for sharing and caring. Both were loved and revered and feared. But only one was always, always, always there.
Slowly but surely, God surpassed Santa Claus. While Santa goes incognito during the year, God is always there. I can count on Him 365/24/7. He gives me answers and He soothes me. He reassures me and strengthens me. He watches over me and sends His angels to protect me. He warns me and guides me. He’s no Santa Claus . . . He’s so much more.
God doesn’t need flying reindeer to travel the world in one night. He’s everywhere and in everybody, as well as right here with me, all day, every day, all at the same time. He doesn’t need elves to make toys in a toy factory because He has millions of giving soldiers in His army, right here, amongst us, every day, who give of themselves selflessly and righteously, for His sake. He doesn’t need magic, He is supernatural. He is the Creator and Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen. He knows all and can make all happen . . . or not happen. And the present He gives . . . the ultimate gift He gives . . . is Jesus Christ and everlasting life.
So yeah . . . God’s not Santa Claus, He’s so much more. Besides, without the birth of Jesus . . . there’d be no reason for Santa Claus. There’d be no Christmas season. Jesus is truly the reason for the season. Happy birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas all.
