To help prepare for Christmas, we sing: “O come O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel.” The words describe our longing for a savior to free us and support us in becoming the persons God created us to become.

Another song sung in anticipation of Christmas is for a visit from Santa Claus.  We sing: “You better watch out...Santa Claus is coming to town.  He’s making a list, checking it twice ... gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.” 

These two songs say something important about these Christmas visitors: Jesus and Santa.  Santa is busy listing those who are good or bad, to be certain who has been “naughty or nice.” He even tallies his list twice.  Every child knows that he crosses out the names of the bad and prepares presents for the good. 

While Jesus comes without a list, he hopes to visit everyone with his message the good and the bad ones. Jesus offers the bad special gifts: love, mercy, forgiveness, a second chance, and a message from his father saying: Welcome Home!  For this reason, Jesus is excited to greet both the good and the bad; thanking the good for hearing his message trying to practice it with love and service.

At the same time, the unfaithful are invited to let go of what darkness grips them. It is because Jesus knows they have gifts which are needed as much as the faithful.  Jesus wants everyone’s gifts included in the building of his earthly kingdom community.  Thanking the good for their faithfulness, Jesus encourages them to continue to lead the way. 

He invites everyone to join with renewed commitment, which he accepts with opened arms showing everyone that he and his father would rather forgive than punish.  Where Santa is expected, cookies and milk await his visit, while Jesus may not be met with the same treats.

Instead, Jesus’ initial welcome consisted of a chilly stable, a sheet of swaddling clothes, and a rustic manger filled with hay.  However, Jesus and his family found their warmth from the joy-filled love and praise of shepherds who showed gratitude with their adoring presence.  And from the three delighted foreigners who traveled a long distance to welcome him with their respect and esteem.  

Perhaps Santa is dressed more appropriately, and his hunger is fed with tasty cookies and milk; and yet, when Jesus heard from each of his visitors humble praise and felt their infectious joy, he recognized that the gifts he brought were exactly what his creation wanted and needed.  

Even to this present Christmas, Jesus is the Christmas visitor who provides the best and Merriest Christmas for all.

Merry Christmas to all my readers and a healthy 2022

Painting by: Greg Olsen