Beloved, God does not have a naughty list. Unlike the religious image of Santa (man’s erroneous image of God), who seems to always be analyzing behavior, Abba (Father Christmas Himself) is not finding fault with you. He is never withholding gifts from you and He is never keeping a record of wrongs.
Because on that cross, Jesus, the law giver became the law fulfiller thus becoming your naughty list (and mine) so He could give you an endless and eternal supply of His unearned, unmerited, undeserved favor.
Yes, on that cross, He took your entire lifetime of sin upon His body so that you, who believe, could take His everlasting gift of righteousness and scandalous grace.
Religion which comes from the law, points man to man and reveals what man is not. God, who took on man’s condition to redeem him from it, points to Jesus and reveals to you who you are in Him; His beloved, accepted, spotless child and heir of His Kingdom.
And this for one reason only: relationship. A real relationship with your Rescuer; the One who is not policing your life but is pursuing it, saving it, fathering it, loving it, caring for it.
“God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!”
John 3:17 TPT
Do my children believe in Santa Clause? You bet. But have we ever told them he is checking their behavior to determine whether or not they would receive gifts? Never.
Do we have an Elf-On-The-Shelf? Of course! But both Santa and elves, just like Jesus, are enjoying our children and delighting in them daily simply because they are God’s masterpiece.
So instead of trying to motivate your children unto better behavior using fear, remember your Papa is pleased with you and is telling you, “Fear not!”
Your Lord is never lording over you with control. And He is not after behavior modification. He is always after heart transformation…which is always a result of believing that He loves you radically and unconditionally as you are and not as you think you should be!
We as parents love to encourage our children to “Believe” for Christmas. But let’s make sure we are believing ourselves that, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
Because it’s with the precious blood of Jesus, you’ve been penned in permanently on the everlasting “nice” list!
Merry Christmas Be-Loved!
Resting In His Love,
Annalee Reyes
I stopped getting coal in my stocking after I gave myself to Jesus.
I know now he had Santa give coal to me for the coal-range to keep the kitchen warm.
NEVER FORGOTTEN once I ended up in Jesus’s hands.