Jesus is the Reason for the Season

As I've gone about my days these last few weeks, it's easy to get caught up in the festivities. Most of the time I can't stand this time of year. Shocking I know! I'm not going to explain this right now, because these last few weeks I've been reminded of some simple truths I would like to share with you.

I was saddened the other day when I asked my 5 year old nephew whose Birthday was coming and he said, "Santa." Then I asked why do we have Christmas, and he said, "Santa comes to bring us presents." Nathan went to a Christian preschool, has parents that love the Lord, and only three and a half months into his public school education has forgotten Jesus is the reason for the season.

I heard a parent telling a child, "Santa only comes for good boys, so you have to behave." And that's when the first truth hit me: Jesus came for the naughty children of the world. Jesus stated, "i have come to seek and save the lost" and "I have not come to call the righteous (the good people), but sinners unto repentance." The Bible goes on to tell us that "while we were yet sinners (naughty) Christ died for us!" Santa only comes for the good girls and boys, but Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, came for the rest of us!

Don't get me wrong I like Christmas and enjoy singing songs about Santa, in fact one lead me to my next truth.
     You better watch out
     You better not cry
     You better not pout
     I'm telling you why
     Santa Claus is coming to town

     He's making a list,
     Checking it twice;
     Gonna find out who's naughty or nice.
     Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa keeps a Naughty and Nice list! Santa keeps a record of our wrongs. But the Bible says love keeps no record of wrong! So really there are two truths here. First the Bible says in Psalms, God "has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west." God in His perfect love keeps no record of our wrongs. When we ask for forgiveness and we repent, God remembers them no more! That is amazing so not only does He not keep a list, but He truly loves us, since "Love keeps no record of wrong."

So as you go about the hustle and bustle of this season. Take time to remember that Jesus, the babe born in a manger, the Christ that hung on a cross, the Savior that rose undefeated from the grave is the reason for the season. And if He hadn't come, there would be no CHRISTmas! Presents are nice, trees smell good (if you can smell), family gatherings are interesting, but without Christ we would have no reason to celebrate. So remember to be thankful for the best present of all: Jesus.
Savior
Lord
Prince of Peace
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Lamb of God
Bread of Life
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Living Water
Good Shepherd
Healer
Deliverer
Refuge
I am that I am!

All that you need He is, not only this time of year, but all year long. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!