This past week I greeted a kindergartner in the main office of our school, where I serve as an administrator. Rosa Maria (not her real name) had on a Santa hat and a Christmas themed outfit, so I asked her, “Are you one of Santa’s helpers?”
Then, the most fascinating conversation began:
Me: You’re the real Santa?
Student: “Yes, I’m Santa.”
Me: “Is Santa a girl?”
Student: “Yes, I’m a girl Santa.”
Me: “It’s nice to meet you, Santa. May I tell you what I want for Christmas?” (The wee girl nodded her head.) “I want a bicycle.”
Student: (pausing to consider my request.) “OK.”
The next day, I saw the little girl again, but she wasn’t wearing her Santa hat. I greeted her with a smile: “Hello again, Santa.”
Student: “I’m not Santa.”
Me: “You’re not Santa?! Why not?”
Student: “I don’t have my hat on.”
Me: “Who are you, then?”
Student: “I’m the Grinch.”
Me: “Isn’t the Grinch green?”
Student: “I’m a brown Grinch.”
Confession: Tis the season, but without my Santa hat on, it’s easy to feel more like the Grinch. The pressure to attend party after party, the predominately secular focus, and the fact that we live far away from most of our family, tempts me to have a “Bah Humbug!” attitude.
But the original Saint Nicholas, who was a 4th century Greek bishop, was known for his generosity, kindness, and giving secretly to those in need. He most certainly did these things as a genuine follower of Jesus Christ, knowing that the true spirit of Christmas means giving to others, as God has given to us.
The world often ignores the real meaning of Christmas, but this should not dissuade us as followers of Jesus, because God calls us to show what Christmas really means in practical ways the whole year-round!
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
This piece was first published in the Sunshine Weekly Newsletter, a publication which is shared in nursing homes and assisted living centers. A special thank you to Peter Caligiuri, aka “Pastor Pete,” for inviting me to contribute a monthly column! Peter blogs at praise2worship.net
The Stigma Stops Here. 🛑
#mentalhealthmatters
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