Each December, images of Santa Claus are everywhere. We see visions of a large man in a red suit with a long white beard and rosy cheeks. For, non-believers, Santa is the central figure of their Christmas, however for believers Jesus is the reason. The celebration of a King born in a manger to save His people from their sins is a redemption story that brings meaning to the season.
The greatest gift that anyone can ever receive is the gift of Jesus Christ. He was given 2,000 years ago to all mankind by our Heavenly Father so that we could have a relationship with God. Jesus is our hope, redemption and victory. He’s the reason we can experience the Blessing in our lives. He is our advocate with the Father, our blood-covenant friend who will never leave us nor forsake us and continually works to bring to pass the New Covenant. In Him we have the joy of living a heavenly life on earth.
A Saved Saint Nicholas
Jesus is the central figure of Christmas, even the marketing invention that is Santa Clause is based on a real Saint who was a believer of the Prince of Peace.
Saint Nicholas, the real Santa Claus, exemplified the real meaning of Christmas. Christ mass means “anointing celebration.” It’s the celebration of “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.” It remembers how the anointed Jesus “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). It’s the story of our triumphant Saviour, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings! Merry Christmas!
St. Nicholas was a godly man whose giving spirit became an example of Christ’s love. From what is known about St. Nicholas, he lived during the third century in Turkey. He was from a loving Christian family who taught him the importance of loving God and honouring the Lord with his giving spirit.
At 19, Nicholas joined the priesthood. His uncle, a bishop, prophesied that Nicholas would lead and encourage people. He also prophesied that Nicholas would become a bishop and lead a spiritually fulfilling and devout life. In fact, Nicholas did help the poor, became a bishop and lived with a desire to honour God in everything he did.
He was known to spend entire nights tirelessly studying God’s Word just so he could bring fresh insight and revelation to the people in his congregation. He was known for reaching out to those in need, praying, fasting and relying on God’s Word completely.
Three Ways To Stay Focused on Jesus this Season
This year as you’re looking for ways to celebrate the real meaning of the season you will experience an onslaught of marketing emails hitting your inbox, a surplus of commercials invading your television set and a whirlwind of activities filling your calendar. It can be hard to keep your celebration fixed on Jesus’ birth; here are three ways you can let faith and love guide your season:
1. Stir up Your Faith this Christmas
As you remember God’s faithfulness to you, you are better able to stand in faith for others. So continue build yourself up by reading the Word (Romans 10:17) and listening to ministers you trust. Get excited about the good things God has done for you so that you are ready to pass His love on to others.
2. Expect God to Use You this Christmas
Prepare to be a vessel for God this season. Remain steadfast in prayer and available to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Keep your schedule free enough so that you are available to hear His voice.
3. Let “Love Your Neighbour” Take on New Meaning
Take time to notice the people around you—members of your family, families in your church and the needy in your city. Ask God to reveal needs around you so that you can be a conduit of His love to the world (Luke 6:31).
This Christmas can be more—more Word, more faith, more love. Instead of “busy-ness,” you can experience a season of faith and love as an ambassador of Jesus to the world. Merry Christmas!
