Santa's Visiting the Coastlands this Sunday!

Kneeling Santa by Bonnie T. Barry

Each year at the Coastlands, we invite Santa Claus to come and spend some time with our kiddos.  We're excited that he found some time in his busy schedule to be with us this Sunday!  Sometimes I get asked why we invite Santa to be part of our church tradition since he wasn't part of the original Christmas that's recorded in the Bible.

It's a great question!  Let's start with a few verses that will help give a framework for the rest of our thoughts:

God gives to all generously.  James 1:5

Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.  James 1:17

He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

The Lord has much more to give you than this.  2 Chronicles 25:9

He who did not spare His own Son... He will with Him freely give us all things. Romans 8:32

We love to invite Santa to visit our kids in Children’s Ministries because Santa understands God’s heart.  Nothing makes God happier than seeing His children delighted and astounded by His generous love.  Santa is a great reflection of God’s generous love.  He’s like a sign-post that points the way.

Santa himself knows that he’s not the destination, and neither are the presents that he brings.  Like any good sign-post, his job is to point the way.  In fact, all our Christmas traditions point to Jesus.  The mistletoe, the garlands, the lights, the trees, the hot chocolate, the ornaments, the gifts... the whole season of wonder and delight... it’s all about Jesus.

When our family was on vacation a few years ago, we took a picture in front of a sign that showed where we had been.  Nobody imagined that the sign was our destination.  And it wasn’t nearly as amazing as the actual experience.  But that picture seemed like a good way to remind ourselves of the whole adventure.

In the same way, when Santa comes to visit our kids, take pictures, and get excited together, we don’t imagine for a moment that Santa could or would ever replace Jesus.  Nor do we worry that he will threaten the true meaning of Christmas.  Like you and me, Santa is another in a vast array of characters who celebrate Jesus.  In our classrooms, Santa will tell the story of Jesus’ birth and how He is the greatest gift that was ever given.

When Jesus taught, He used examples from fishing and farming, normal stuff from people’s lives that would help them understand God’s Kingdom.  Santa is like that: a normal part of our culture that can help our kids understand God’s heart.

Each cherished Christmas tradition, whether directly connected to the Bible story or simply enjoyed by our family or culture, are signs on the sign-post, all pointing the way to Jesus, the greatest Gift and the greatest Giver, the One who is the reason for all our celebrations.

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

Merry Christmas!

Unto Us a Child Is Born

Adoration of the Shepherds 
by Gerard van Honthorst (1590–1656)

Christmas is a celebration of God’s love for us.  He put Himself in a most vulnerable position: an infant born in a barn.  He let go of His power and His majesty so that He could be with us.  It wasn’t enough for Him to love us distantly… aloof on His throne.  No, He knew that normal people like us would never be able to approach Him there.  So He came to the most humble setting, a real-life scenario, so that He could love us right where we live.

We celebrate the most stunning moment in history: when God gave Himself to us. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given” (Isaiah 9:6).  Unto us.  To put Himself into our hands… that’s a vulnerability that shows true love.

Contrary to popular misconception, God doesn’t want us to grovel before Him.  He calls us His children and invites us to come home.  Not to scold us (as we might have feared).  But to welcome us and to honor us.  He doesn't flatter us and pretend that we don't have problems, nor does He shame us for them.  Instead He comes to be with us, no matter where we are.  No pretense on our part or His.

Just like in that barn, it’s with simplicity, honesty and humility that God gives Himself to us.

The world we know is constantly on the offensive, so we’re trained not to let our guard down.  It’s full of attack, of blame, of facades and performance—and we’ve all been forced to learn to navigate it.  Because of this training, it can feel awkward to allow God into the unvarnished reality of our hearts and lives.  It doesn't seem like a place fit for a King.  But God loves us and there's no place He'd rather be.   And when He shows up, even a barn becomes a peace-filled, intimate, holy place.  That's what Christmas is about -- God coming into the world and into our hearts to transform us by loving and serving us.

God came as a baby so that we would always know His heart.  He doesn’t want His power or glory to intimidate us.  He wants to lay all that aside so that we can simply talk with Him.  But don’t be surprised if you hear some singing in the background.  The angels are aching to burst out just like they did back then.  When God gets personal, they just can’t help it.

Merry Christmas!