~ Consider Critical Differences ~
Location ~ santa claus lives at the North
Pole.
Jesus Christ is omnipresent (everywhere at once). “‘Am I a God near at hand,’ says the Lord, ‘And
not a God afar off? Can anyone hide
himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?’ says the Lord; ‘Do I not
fill heaven and earth?’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:23-24).
Physical Characteristics ~ santa claus has “a bowl full of
jelly.”
Jesus Christ has a heart full of love. “And we have known and believed the love that
God has for us. God is love, and he who
abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).
Availability ~ santa claus is only available once a
year.
Jesus Christ is always available and willing to help. “God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).
Access ~ santa claus enters your home through
your chimney.
Jesus Christ is at the door to His Kingdom waiting for your acceptance of His
invitation. “Then Jesus said to them
again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep… I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will
be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture… I have come that they may have life, and that
they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:7, 9, 10b).
Timeliness ~ santa claus requires you to wait in a
line to see him.
Jesus Christ is instantly available for those who call upon His name. “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to
Me, and I will listen to you. And you
will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord” (Jeremiah
29:12-14b)
Interaction ~ santa claus allows you to sit on his
lap.
Jesus Christ carries you, allows you to rest in His arms, and shelters
you. Jesus said, “What man of you,
having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine
in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his
shoulders, rejoicing” (Luke 15:4-6). “The
eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy
33:27a). “Be merciful to me, O God, be
merciful to me! For my soul trusts in
You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these
calamities have passed by” (Psalm 57:1).
Intimacy ~ santa claus asks, “And what is your
name?”
Jesus Christ knew your name before you were born. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before
you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah
1:5).
Jesus Christ knows all about you—every detail—even how many hairs are on your
head. Jesus said, “The very hairs of
your head are all numbered. Do not fear
therefore” (Luke 12:7a).
Instructions ~ santa claus warns, “You better not
cry.”
Jesus Christ asks you to give him all your cares. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of
God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He
cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
Movement ~ santa claus rides on a sleigh.
Jesus Christ walks on water. “…the
disciples saw Him walking on the sea… those who were in the boat came and
worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:26, 33).
Supplies ~ santa claus fills your stockings with
presents and goodies.
Jesus Christ supplies all your needs. “My God shall supply all your need according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Jesus said, “I have come that they may have
life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b)
Builds ~ santa claus requires many little helpers
to make gifts.
Jesus Christ personally mends broken homes, wounded hearts, and gives an
entirely new life. He is also preparing
mansions for us. Jesus said, “Come to
Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew
11:28-29). And, “Let not your heart be
troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go
to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that
where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-4).
Offers ~ santa claus says, “Ho, Ho, Ho.”
Jesus Christ is “Holy, Holy, Holy!” (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8).
Gifts ~ santa claus puts gifts under your
Christmas tree.
Jesus Christ gave us the gift of salvation by dying on a tree. Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. For God did not send
His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him
might be saved” (John 3:14-17).
santa claus is jolly and chuckles.
Jesus Christ provides a true inner joy which becomes your strength. “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is
your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b).
Real vs. Fiction ~ The
most important difference of all! Have
you ever heard of any wide-spread anti santa
claus groups. The reason they
don’t exist is they know those are fictional characters. On the other hand, Jesus Christ is attacked because He is real—and to admit He
is real has consequences!
additional note ~ If you appreciated this post you might like
previous posts entitled “Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ”
(December
24, 2015), “Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ, 2” (December
25, 2016), and “Santa
Claus vs. Jesus Christ, 3” (December
24, 2017).
~
Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW blog.
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