More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!"John MacArthur
"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15
I just knew he was real. I mean I knew it. You know, the big, white bearded, jolly fellow, dressed in red. I knew because every Christmas morning there was a present I had never seen, wrapped in pretty paper I had never seen, under our Christmas tree with my name on it. And the kicker was, it said "from Santa". It would be a very bad Santa to lie, so it had to be true. Santa was real.
I needed Santa to be real because I needed magic in my young life. I needed a moment when life wasn't about making your bed, eating your breakfast, and racing to school--- hoping I could avoid being teased about my newly permed frizzy hair, or being fearful I would disappoint my teacher by giving the wrong answer.
There were other presents under the tree from Mom and Dad, but it was the one from Santa, all the way from the North Pole, coming quietly while I slept, awaiting me when I opened my eyes in the dark morning hour, that thrilled me.
Then on December 12th, 1959, while walking home from school with a group of older, horrible classmates I heard one say, "I don't believe that baby stuff anymore. You know, SANTA ISN'T REAL."
"Yeah," the others all laughed loudly. "He's not real! Only babies believe in Santa Claus."
My heart was stricken with utter fear, like just mentioning the possibility was being a party to his murder. I had to get away as fast as I could. I ran like a jack rabbit all the way home. I burst into the door holding back tears.
"It's not true! Mom will tell me."
"Oh, those silly children. What do they know?" Mother casually replied.
I realize now, Mother lied because she needed magic and wonder in her life.
What could be more wondrous and magical than to have the attention of God Almighty, the One who created the pink/ purple sunrise I saw yesterday, the One who placed every star in the black sky for my gazing pleasure while I breathed in the crisp air, the One who placed the mountains and the oceans side by side? What is more magical than being raised from the dead to eternal life? What is more wondrous than God being born as a baby...to be cuddled and nursed? (Even the powerful demons, though they tried, could not kill the child.) That this child now our Savior is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us? Is this not wonderful?
Christmas, for us today, is a grand reminder that you and I have ever been living in the realm of magic. Santas all cease and die. They come to an end. Our great Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace lives forever! Isaiah 9:6
"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1Corinthians 2:9
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