01 Dec What Christmas is All About? – Dec 14

By Ferdinand Haratua

What Christmas is all about? And what does it have to do with Santa Claus

Christmas is about hope – Despite our many problems and struggles that we may be facing at the present time, there is no greater problems than our sins. The Bible says that without exceptions, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and because of it, we deserve death.

We should fear death, when it means eternal separation from God. And that is precisely what death will bring to those who are without hope, that is, without hope in Christ Jesus. However, the Bible says, “You know that Jesus appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5)

Jesus, the Son of God himself is God’s solution for our sins. “For our sake God made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”(2 Corinthians 5:21)

All we need is to believe. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

We should, therefore, not fear death, because death is the beginning of eternal life with our LORD Jesus. The apostle Paul speaks of this hope-filled kind of death when he writes, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Philippians 1:21, 23). This is not a statement of hopelessness and desire to die, but rather, it is a statement of hope in the unshakeable truth that enables the apostle to stand strong in the midst of storm.

What should parents tell their kids about Santa Claus?

Sadly, in the world that we are living in today, there are many children growing up not knowing the true meaning of Christmas.

Therefore, we should use this opportunity, in fact any opportunities, but especially this one, to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas.

It is never too early to teach even our youngest child about Christmas and why Christmas is so important and relevant. As a parent myself, I strongly believe that we should get our children excited about Christmas. However, excited not about of Santa Claus, but Jesus Christ.

We should point out to our children that while at best Santa Claus could give them earthly gifts, Jesus gives them eternal gifts.  Santa and his gifts, or any other “gifts” that the world has to offer may give them a small happiness for a day, a year, ten years, or maybe even one hundred years. On the hand, Jesus’ gift is eternal, and the joy He offers is not small but full.

Teach our children the truth. The Bible says, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

For what profit does it bring if we brought up our children to be successful adults, but yet they do not have Jesus?