Santa is great BUT...

Intro

Im not gonna spend this service knocking Santa, he’s a great guy, BUT i want to show you today why Christmas is called CHRISTmas and not SANTAmas.

Father Christmas is not the real father of Christmas, Our Heavenly Fathert is. And as great as old Santa is, when you put him side by side with Jesus, im afraid its no contest. Jesus is infinatly better than Santa.

1: Where does Santa live? - The Northpole.

Exacally, but where does Jesus live? Everywhere!

ps 13

Psalm 139:7–8 AV

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Jesus is not in one place at my house or at your house or at the north pole, Jesus is omnipresent, as far as his Spirit is, thats how far he is.

2: How many times a year does Santa come to town? - Once.

How often do we get to see Jesus? ALL THE TIME!

Psalm 46:1 AV

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Always present, always here for us, always avalible for us. You dont have to wait once a year to see Jesus. Just close your eyes and pray whenever you want and he will be there. Open you bible and read, and you will see him.

3: What does Santa fill your stockings with? - presents!

But Jesus supplies all your needs.

Philippians 4:19 AV

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Alot of what gets given at christmas time is just material stuff. But a playstation or a new bike or even a dimond ring - none of it can meet the need of our souls and bring true lasting peace and joy.

Chances are that you may not even remeber what you got for christmas lat year or the tyear before - it may even be lost or broken. But what Jesus gives us last forger!!!

4: How does Santa get in most house4s? He climbs down the??? - Chimney!

Jesus does not break into our homes like Santa - Jesus comes straught to the front door of your heart and knocks and asks to be let in.

Revelation 3:20 AV

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Lots of children hope Santa will vistet them, Well Jesus will ALWAYS come if you open you heart and let him in.

5: What kind of boys and girls does Santa give gifts to? Good or Bad? - GOOD!

Well th most amazing thing about Jesus, is that he knew that there are actually no good people.

Romans 3:10 AV

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

But Jesus is so good that he gave his the greatest gift, the gift of redemption and forgivess to all those naughty people - just because he loves us so much!

Romans 5:8 AV

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

6: Santa lets you sit on his lap.

But Jesus lets you rest saflry in his arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27 AV

27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

For those who found sghelfter and safty in the arms of Jesus, you will know that there is no greater and more wondeful place to be.

In his arms is hope and security. In his arms is peace and comfort - and Santa’s lap cannot gibve you that.

7: Santa does not always understand lifes difficulties (maybe living in the north pole maked him a bit dumb) because the song sayts: “YOU better not cry,...”

Jesus does not mind if you cry, in fcat Jesus wants to help more when you do.

1 Peter 5:7 AV

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Jesus knows how hard and difficllt life can be. The hurts and dissapointment and regrets we face - and he wants us to come to him and cast all those burden unpon him. Jesus, unlike Santa is able to help us in all of lifes challanges.

Finally: 8: Where does Santa put your gifts? - Under the tree.

Jesus gave us the best gift of all - himself but he did not put this gift UNDER the tree - this gift was hung on a tree.

On the old rugged tree called the cross.

Matthew 20:28 AV

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

What can we give Jesus in return?

I spend all year wondering what i could possible give Jesus - whats the best gift in the world, what is the only thing Jesus wants for christmas.

Playstation, barbie, new car, jertly, perfume, clothes...

I went to makro, toysrus, woolworths, game and checkers looking.

And i finally found the perfect gift for Jesus - its in the box.