Okay, before anybody gets all up in arms, yes, I know – Santa wasn’t really at the manger. He is a figment of our imaginations. I understand that, but it’s the symbolism that I’m looking at. We all know that Christmas celebrates Christ’s birth. The Santa thing, is in keeping with that, if you are willing to open your mind and think about it a little.
Christ came to Earth to be humbled, to be a servant, to be mankind’s scapegoat for all of our numerous and, in far too many cases lately, horrendous sins. All he asks is that we love each other and believe in him and Father God.
Santa spends all year making toys for children. I think someone said the cost this year was somewhere in the Billion dollar range. That’s a lot of “stuff” to give out each year with no expectations of receiving anything in return except some cookies and a glass of milk and maybe an occasional thank you letter. And yes, once again, I know – Santa isn’t real. But he is. Perhaps not physically, but the spirit of Santa shows itself when ever a Mom or Dad buys a present for their child (or children). When an Aunt or Uncle buys a gift for a niece or nephew. If it is done correctly, it teaches children to think about someone else. And isn’t that what Christ teaches? Be a servant, help someone else. Even if all you can do is put money into the Salvation Army bucket, or help serve meals to those who wouldn’t have any otherwise.
So Santa paying respects to the baby child Jesus, fits. We are all here to help each other out in one way or another. Be kind to each other, share with each other. Treat each other the way you would like to be treated. Even strangers and, maybe most especially, even those you don’t like or who don’t like you, should be treated, at the very least, with politeness and courtesy.
To me, Christmas will always be a reminder to try harder, be a little nicer, be thankful for things more often, and always, remember to kneel, from time to time, at the manger of the Christ child.
Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a very Happy and Safe New Year.
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