The Man in Red

What do we really know about this mythical character named “Santa Claus”?

When one stops and thinks about this guy dubbed “Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus” one quickly concludes that there’s a lot of things missing from his story.

But here’s what we do know: he sports a long white beard, has a twinkle in his eye, and he’s a little on the plumb side (when he laughs his round belly shakes like a bowl full of jello). His mode of dress is always the same: a pair of black boots, a red velvet suit, and a matching hat.

We know he lives at the North Pole with his wife and a bunch of elves who have pointed ears, pointed shoes, and dress all in green–whom he employs to make toys for children. Flying reindeer are stabled in his barns and are uniquely named: Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, Prancer, and Vixen. Rudolph, his most famous reindeer, not only flies but has a red nose that glows bright enough to lead a team of reindeer throw a fog as thick as pea soup.

Each year, on December 24th, Santa’s elves load his sleigh with toys and gifts for GOOD little boys and girls. Mr. Kringle leads his team of nine flying reindeer all over the world delivering these packages. With a sack full of presents he scurries down chimneys, places packages under lighted Christmas trees, and eats billions of cookies–all while his reindeer wait PATIENTLY on the roof.

This time of year the man with a cherry red nose takes center stage…he’s the talk of the town…and can be spotted at malls, grocery stores, street corners, and on and on.

I don’t know about you but I have a whole list of unanswered questions about this man who dresses in red. For instance what does he do for a living? I mean he employs all those elves but the only time he leaves the North Pole is the month of December. Does he pay his elves a fair wage? Do they get holiday pay? I mean, after all, they do have to work up until the minute Santa yells, “On Comet, on Cupid–.”

What does Santa do all the other months of the year? Oh, sure, he keeps track of whose naughty and nice…but seriously, how much time does that really take? Does he just sit back in his easy chair while his elves work themselves into a frenzy making toys? And…oh, by the way, were do elves come from? Or flying reindeer for that matter?

Has anyone come across his birth records to know how old Santa is? And how did he come to live at the North Pole? Was he and Mrs. Claus out for a drive and when the reindeer flew over the snow packed land of the North, they both just shouted, “That’s it!” home?

All silliness aside let’s not let the man who wears red overshadow the One who is the reason for this season…our Savior, Jesus Christ. He who made Himself human…made Himself small (an infant)…humbled Himself to save the world.

There are no unanswered questions about Jesus…He is God’s Son. He is the beginning and the end…the alpha and omega. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:13).

God choose a young virgin named Mary to be the mother of His Son. She gave birth in a lowly stable in Bethlehem. A Son that she would watch die a horrific death (took our sins upon Himself, died the death we deserve) a upon a cross so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7.

Let the light of Christ shine brightly this Christmas season.

Blessings, Kasey