Two weeks ago, on Sunday evening, the film Santa Clause was screened on television. Tim the Toolman Taylor took the part of the main character. He was divorced from his wife, who had remarried, and there was some juggling of arrangements for the son to spend some of Christmas with each of his natural parents.
From the start, Tim’s time with his son did not go smoothly. He burnt the turkey. When they went to eat out, all the special festive dishes were gone and when they arrived home Tim surprised Santa on the roof. Santa fell off and expired. Tim found a card in Santa’s pocket and following instructions put on Santa’s suit to become the new, but very reluctant Santa.
Once Tim became Santa, he became a much nicer person. However, it took the rest of the movie and a great deal of convincing before he finally, happily settled into his new role. There was no way, that he ever would have considered becoming Santa if he weren’t placed in a situation from which he could not escape. It was a good story and very entertaining; we all love warm fuzzy stories about the happiness that Father Christmas brings to children and adults!
But this is not the true story of Christmas. It is really about God’s Son coming to our world. Despite what he knew was ahead of him, he still came. He brings more than warm fuzzies, toys and presents. He brings forgiveness and new life. His gifts don’t break, they last forever. And when Christmas day is over, he remains with us.
If we celebrate Christ at Christmas, then Christmas lasts forever! If not it’s all over in a few days and has little meaning.
Neil P. Schiller