Santa Ain’t No Savior

This past weekend I attended our family Christmas party. As dinner was finishing up, in walked a surprise for the kids…Santa Claus.

His jolly laugh filled the room. His long beard glistened like snow.

All the kids gathered around and took photos with Santa as he solemnly asked, “Have you been naughty or nice this year?”

To be honest, a lot of the kids lied right to Santa’s face. Those “nice” little squirts cut me off in the food line just 45 minutes ago…Thanks to one of my little cousins I didn’t get apple pie! I should pull Santa aside and tell him the truth…

As I drove home from the party I began reflecting on the not-original thought that we often treat Jesus like Santa Claus.

If I’m good enough and I behave – I’ll be blessed. If I check off a spiritual list of do’s and don’ts – my prayers will be heard. If I cut that habit or sin less this year than last – then I might just deserve more of God’s favor.

I mean we might not say it out loud – but haven’t we all fallen into the trap of believing or acting as if God’s blessings are dependent on our good behavior?

I know for many years that’s how I saw God. If I was good – I was good. But if I slipped up, I lived in fear of ending up on the naughty list and falling out of God’s favor.

But here’s what I’ve discovered – A God like that is exhausting to serve.

He’s fickle and flakey. He’s only ever as faithful as I am. He only loves me as much as I love him. He’s only as consistent as I am…which isn’t very.

But here’s the announcement that Christmas makes…God’s love isn’t dependent on our behavior.

No longer are you or I defined by our past, our sin, our failures, that addiction, abortion, bankruptcy, struggle, affair, issue or problem.

Nor are we defined by our wins, portfolio, degrees, financial success, accomplishments, or spiritual achievements.

No – Christmas reminds us that because of the arrival of Jesus we are now declared righteous and worthy simply because of Christ.

When God looks at us he doesn’t see our wins and he doesn’t see our failures – he doesn’t look at a list and check it twice – he looks at us and simply sees the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 says it pretty well, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

So because of Jesus we can release the anxious and impossible pursuit of perfection and instead rest in our identity as a loved, child of God.

And I guess that’s good news for all of us…Especially my little nephew who took the last piece of apple pie.