I was eating lunch at Subway with my three year-old, Addisyn, and 4-month old, Josette, when I overheard a conversation between two grown men on lunch break awaiting the final preparation of their subs. I thought them to be co-workers, until the conversation ended abruptly upon payment and they went their separate ways.
This is not an anti-Santa piece. Nor is it a criticism of a believer in Jesus not standing for his faith. It is a reflection of how I would have answered the “Santa” man’s question. It was the cry of my heart to have my own answer to the question the believer did not answer (or chose not to answer because he was in a Subway line).
“Big man in red is comin’ soon. The kids love Santa Claus.”
“We do more of the Jesus-thing in our family.”
“But what has Jesus done for you? Santa’s the one that brings the presents.”
...
Santa may bring the presents, but so does Jesus. The gifts Jesus brings are free, they cost me nothing. The tradition of Santa, that brought me joy as a child, costs me money as an adult. The joy of Christ lasts an eternity.
But, what has Jesus done for me?
Later that week I was praying and the words and picture of an anchor kept coming to my mind. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” -Hebrews 6:19-20
He has been my anchor. He is always there to lean on. I can be prone to worry. I give my worries to Him in prayer.
I am prone to a guilty conscious. Guilt is heavy and drags me down. Jesus forgives my sins.
He is one with the Creator. I gave birth to my third daugther this year, I had a nephew born prior to my daughter’s birth and have a niece on the way. Gifts.
What has Jesus done for me?
He has filled my heart more overflowing than “Santa” could ever fill my stocking.
