Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
The anticipation and excitement around Christmas is a magical time for children. As a child, I was fascinated with the wonderment of old St. Nick, a chubby old soul who mysteriously left brightly colored packages of differing sizes under our tree.
Each year on the way home from Christmas Eve service, my brother, sister, and I would look for Santa’s sleigh. Nearly every year we caught a glimpse of the flashing red light in the sky that was most certainly Rudolf’s nose.
Once home, our parents would tuck us into bed so that Santa could deliver our presents. We knew that he wouldn’t come until we were fast asleep.
I remember one year my parents extended a special invitation and convinced Santa to bring our gifts while we were awake. I couldn’t believe it!
Santa made his entrance with a jovial “Ho Ho Ho,” and although he certainly looked and sounded the part, something didn’t add up in my six year old brain. I asked Santa some questions, but his answers caused me to grow skeptical.
This was the year that I began to question the whole Santa Claus thing. I eventually approached my mom and asked the infamous question. “Is Santa real?”
Since she didn’t answer me straightforwardly, I was pretty sure I was on to something. She finally told me the truth. Santa was not real, and if fact, the man posing as Santa on Christmas Eve was a distant relative.
Aha… I knew it!
When we are young, we tend to believe things just because someone tells us it’s true. The Bible tells us that we need to be childlike in our faith, but at some point, in order to mature in our Christian faith, we need to carefully examine what we’ve been taught to see if it holds together as Truth.
In my early thirties I began to seek Jesus in a more personal and deliberate manner. I had grown up in the church, but eventually realized I needed to discover who Jesus was for myself. Each of us must have our own personal relationship with Jesus. We cannot ride into heaven on the coat tails of our parents or grandparents. Our faith journey must be our own.
Unlike my experience with Santa Clause, everything I’ve learned and continue to learn about Jesus only confirms the truth that Jesus really is the Son of the Living God. He is who He says He is!
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Bereans were acknowledged by the apostle Paul as being of noble character because they didn’t just accept a teaching because someone told them it was true. They checked everything against the Scriptures to see if it lined up with God’s Word.
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)
Like the Bereans, we need investigate the stories about Jesus for ourselves. We need to dig deep into Scriptures and see if our beliefs line up with what the Bible says.
The Bible is truth and has stood the test of time. It is trustworthy and unchanging. God has protected His Word for thousands of years. He did this so that you and I wouldn’t have to wonder what is true. We can know the truth because it’s right there in black and white, preserved for all time.
Santa may not be real, but Jesus, and what the Bible teaches, definitely are!!
“Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89)
