Christmas was always a big deal at our house when I was growing up. Lots
of food and presents with my Grandparents coming down to spend the night. We
had just moved into our new house in suburbia, and the thing to do was have
Santa come and visit. Not quite six, but going on 16, when the bell rang and
the door opened and Santa Claus himself was there, it was a big deal. I went
along with it although I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn’t really Santa, but
Mr. Howarth our next door neighbor. I had a few things going for me, one Mr.
Howarth was tall and had two different colored eyes like this Santa, he smelled
of asphalt, he owned a paving company next door, and I was always looking at the
dump trucks and tractors, but the dead give away was his shoes, covered with
tar. But I went along with it, until he was gone, then telling my parents my
suspicions. They thought I was so smart and clever, but I didn’t push it too
far, I didn’t want to take any chances not getting the presents that Christmas
meant to me. I may have wavered in my belief in Santa, but I would cling to the
concept, just in case I was wrong about him.
It was popular in school to learn about Jesus and the real Christmas
story. We never got into the background, just what the songs said, born in a
manger, to a virgin, whatever that was, wondered if anyone had ever seen a round
young virgin, and all about the three wise men. Later I would learn a manger
was a feeding trough, swaddling clothes were really strips used in burials, and
there weren’t three wise men, no number is mentioned. But the story of Jesus
being born stuck with me, and if it meant more toys, I was willing to hang with
the concept...just in case.....
But in junior high after being out till 10 pm with friends on Christmas
Eve, any doubt about Santa was confirmed with a note on the door. Seems they
all went to bed early, and left me a note, stating Santa had left the presents
in the closet, would I please put them under the tree. Which also confirmed my
doubt in the chimney concept, as we had no fireplace, so no chimney for him to
come down. Most likely as always Grandma and Grandpa were the Clauses, but
being a Santa’s helper wasn’t so bad, after all it meant presents, so I once
again clung to the concept. Just in case....the closet was handy for him.
But it was after becoming a Christian that Christmas became real to me. My
first Christmas after being saved and moving to Albuquerque with John. And the
four of us going to California for Christmas, until Mr. Hansch died
unexpectedly, and the trip was cancelled. The others were able to get flights
at the last minute, I couldn’t, so spent my first real Christmas alone, just me
and Jesus. No tree, no presents, just a silent night and the same the next
day. But it was special to me, as the concept of Jesus being real became more
real. I saw past the toys and saw the gift God gave that day. I never told my
family as they would have worried, I will admit to missing Christmas morning and
the excitement, but it was like having been one of the wise men that night.
Christmas became personal, and all doubts about him became true to me. A dinner
at Burger King on Christmas Day should have been a bummer, but I was filled with
joy. The concept of Jesus being the reason for Christmas had become real, and
instead of wanting to receive gifts, I wanted to give. Just as God did, setting
the precedent of being a cheerful giver, and how it is more blessed to give than
receive. Only Jesus can do that for you...no matter how old a kid you
are.
Now there are many stories, tales, legends, and philosophies about where
did Santa Claus originate. I like the one I read recently, about a man named
Nick, who when he heard a family didn’t have food or the things they needed, he
threw a bag of gold coins into their window one night and ran off. Later when
the town discovered it was him, the legend was born. It wasn’t until 1934 that
Santa had no personality, it was Coca Cola in an ad that gave us the Santa we
know today. Who would have thought a soft drink would be involved as a major
part of who he is? So today we give gifts at Christmas, and to many throughout
the year, you see Christmas comes but once a year, Jesus Christ is in our lives
daily. Our giving reflects how God gave his only son, and we do it in love.
Yes we still have the tree, we tell the young ones about Santa, but we also tell
them about Jesus. You see Jesus is the real reason for the season. Imagine
that he never came into the world, and we would have no Christmas, no day of
Christ. Maybe when we look at it that way, it can mean more than shopping, and
buying things for those we don’t like but want to impress, with money we don’t
have. Today wise men still seek him, I still haven’t found what out what a
round yon virgin is, but I still cling to the concept of giving gifts. Just in
case....And if you really want to make me a believer, I’ll leave the window open
on Christmas Eve. Just in case that bag of gold is on your shopping
list....
For maybe the Grinch was right, it isn’t about toys from the store, for
Christmas is really much more. At least to me.....Merry Christmas to all! I
rest my case.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com