CLAUS VS. CHRIST

“CLAUS VS CHRIST”


Intro:
“You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why, Santa Clause is coming to town.” These words have delighted millions of both young and old for years. To the ear of a child, this is the anthem which signifies the coming of gifts. TO the ear of an adult, it is the anthem which reminds them of the past. It recalls memories of Christmas’s gone by. It might even call to mind the money which they will soon be spending. What a wonderful song. For all of us, it brings to mind the champion of gift giving. The great December traveler. The man known for his jolly red suet, his bright twinkling eyes, and his reindeer drawn slay. When we hear this song, we think of Santa Clause. There are so many who love the sound of those words, “Santa Clause is coming to town.”
However, at this time of year, the world often pauses to observe the birth of another great gift giver. He was the giver of life eternal. Known for his bright red redeeming blood, his sparkling mercy, and his salvation driven existence. We are of course speaking of Jesus. Tonight, so many parents will tuck their children in with the promise of the coming Clause, but will say nothing of the coming Christ.
Well, did you know that there are several similarities between the two? This morning, I want to share with you some of the differences, as well as some of the similarities, between Clause and Christ. I want to help you to see that there is one who offers much more than video games, new clothes, exercise equipment, money, or even a new car. I want to help you to see that there is one more worthy of adoration than that man with the belly which jiggles like a bowl full of jelly. Turn with me for just a moment as we consider the importance of Jesus. Not just at Christmas, but in each and every day of our life.

BOTH KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, BUT THEY ALSO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED.
As children, my brother and I lived by the creed, “Shoot for the moon.” When it came time to make out our Christmas lists, we would put down the most outrageous things. I can remember one year, my first grade teacher asked us to write down what we wanted for Christmas. She said that we were to only write down the thing which we most wanted. This list would then be sent to Santa, and it would be put in the paper. Well, you need to understand that my Dad had just gotten a new dirt bike. So, I sat down at my little desk, and I took the sheet of paper which I had been given, and I said that I wanted a new motor cycle so I could go riding with my dad. The really funny thing is that I actually thought I would get it. Boy did my momma laugh. She thought that was so funny.
I can also remember one year when my brother made a rather unusual request. While watching the Chicago Bulls on WGN, he told my mom that he knew what he needed for Christmas. He said that he needed to be bald, black, and to be able to play basket ball like Michael Jordan. Mom responded that she thought that Santa could help him become bald, but the rest would be up to him.
Now, in both cases, our desires were well noted. Did I need a motor cycle at age seven? No. Did my brother really need to be bald, black, and be able to play ball like MJ? No. But the good part was that Santa was willing to listen. He knew our wants.
Even better, Santa always seemed to know our needs. So many times I would go to bed dreaming of G.I.Joes, HEMEN, Wrestlers, video games and so many other things, only to wake up to find those things, along with socks, under shirts, batteries, fruit and nuts. Sure, he gave me some of the things I wanted, but he always seemed to provide for those things which I really needed.
In the same way, Jesus knows our wants, and he will provide those things from time-to-time. But, the one thing you can count on is his ability to always provide us with those things which we truly need. Take for example the Apostle Paul. In 2Cor 12: 7-9, Paul states that one of his desires is to be relieved of his thorn in the flesh. He asked the Lord not once, not twice, but three times to remove this burden. Each time the Lord made the same reply. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Notice, not only does he tell him no, but he also gives him the reason for this answer. It is for no other reason than God knows what’s best for Paul. Whatever that thorn might have been, it was better in than out. Had God granted many of Paul’s requests? Yes. But did he know what was best in this case? Certainly.
You might not always like everything you get, but you can believe that what you get is what you need. I didn’t want socks, under shirts, fruits and nuts. I wanted toys! Toys! Toys! But someone, call him Santa, knew that I needed more. In this same way, God hears our wants, and occasionally gives us those things, but without question he always gives us what we need.

II BOTH KNOW WHO’VE BEEN NOTTY, AND WHO’VE BEEN NICE One of the most terrifying parts of the Christmas experience is the question, “Have you been knotty or nice?” In other words, have you been good or bad? We’ve all heard about Santa’s list. We know about the fact that he is keeping tabs on us all year. We know that for the well behaved children, they will get their hearts desires. However, for those who are bad, they will get nothing but switches and lumps of Cole. I don’t know whether or not any of you ever received one of these less than satisfactory gifts, but I do know that those who act in a way that they shouldn’t, miss out on the gifts come Christmas time.
I can recall a Christmas some eight years ago. My brother had been in and out of trouble all year long. Around Christmas time, he had begun to show signs of improvement. However, two nights before we were to have our dinner and open our gifts, things fell apart. In the middle of the night my parents received a call asking them to come down to the local county jail and pick up my little brother. He had been pulled over, and subsequently arrested, for under age drinking, as well as drinking and driving. For obvious reasons, that was a Christmas we will never forget. It seemed to cast a shadow over the whole holiday. We tried to push forward, but it just didn’t seem right. My parents decided that David didn’t deserve presents that year, and they made everyone take back their gifts. He didn’t get anything. He got to come, eat, and then watch us open our gifts. He had been bad, and he paid the price. When the time came, David was found to be on the knotty list.
In the same way, Christ is watching, and he too has a list. He is watching in a way that is much more personal than even that of Santa. You see, Christ can see straight to the heart of man. He doesn’t have to concern himself with just physical acts. No, instead he can know our innermost desires. Hebrews 4: 13 assures us that, we are naked before him with whom we have to do.”
In addition, he to has a list. It is known as the lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21: 27 tells us that only those who are found in this book of life shall receive that greatest gift of all. The home in Heaven which is promised to the righteous. While on the other hand, John says that those who are wicked shall be blotted out of that same book. IN other words, they will miss out.
I will never forget how broken hearted my brother was when he missed out. He messed up, and then paid the consequences. I can only imagine the sadness of the one who isn’t found on the list of those who are bound for the Promised Land.
I’m not sure what you believe about Santa Clause. I don’t know what you have or have not told your children and grandchildren. Honestly, that’s not my concern. My question is, what have you told them about Christ. Have you told them that he will always be there to give them what they need, even if it wasn’t what they wanted? Have you told them that Jesus is always watching over them? Protecting yes, but also seeing who’s been knotty and who’s been nice? I will tell you that I see nothing wrong with talking to your kids about Clause, but please don’t forget about Christ. The most important relationship which we have is between us, and our savior. I want to encourage you to examine that bond you have today. Is it where it should be? Have you been good, or bad? Do you need help here today? If so, please let those needs be known at this time.