To help prepare for Christmas, we sang the haunting refrain: “O Come O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel.”These words describe our longing for a savior to free us and assist us in becoming the persons God created us to become.

Another song sung in anticipation of Christmas hails the visit of Santa Claus. But our song is a bit more troublesome . We sing: “You better watch out; you better not pout ...Santa Claus is coming to town. He’s making a list, checking it twice. gonna to find out who’s naughty and nice.”

These two songs phrase something important about each visitor: Jesus Christ who came down from heaven and Santa whose arriving from the North Pole. Santa is busy listing those who are good or bad. Meanwhile to be certain who is “naughty or nice” Santa checks his list twice crossing out names of those considered bad. Santa only prepares presents for the good. 

While Jesus comes without a list, hoping to visit everyone good bad. Jesus offers the bad special gifts: love, mercy, forgiveness, second chances, and a message from his father saying: “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you needed rest!” For this reason, Jesus is excited to greet both, thanking the good for hearing his message and their efforts to practice it with love and service.

At the same time, the unfaithful are invited to let go of what controls them.  While Jesus explains: because you have desired gifts which are needed to build my kingdom?

Inviting all to be one as Jesus is with his father: Jesus encourages them saying “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

While only offered a chilly stable, a few swaddling clothes and a hay filled manger, the holy family showed gratitude to the shepherds’ adoring presence. While Santa may have been warmer and enjoyed his cookies and milk.

Jesus, the newborn babe, cordially invited everyone to join with renewed commitment, accepting everyone with opened arms. His open arms held the message that he and his father would rather forgive than punish and would never judge their life’s journey by their last mistake. Mercy, not sacrifice, was God’s gift for all!

Satisfied Jesus realized by the gracious words heard and the infectious joy felt this night that the gifts of mercy and forgiveness were exactly what everyone wanted and needed. Indeed Jesus, the Messiah,  is the Christmas visitor that provides the happiest Christmas for every one.