Christmas. I didn’t
want to write about this because it’s such a typical topic this time of year,
but that’s one of the things that make it sacred and unique I suppose. It’s actually my favorite holiday but not
because it’s all Christian-y and all of that stuff. I just like the feeling in the air. I like everyone’s attitudes and I like what
the ‘buzz’ in the air brings to the table.
It’s something sort of like magic, but good magic; Santa Claus magic or
something. I like Santa. I wish he was real. I’d like to see a big guy slip through my
parents’ chimney. It’s pretty small.
I guess I could probe at the similarities between Jesus and
Santa Claus this Christmas, but maybe it would be easier to look at their
differences… just for the sake of argument.
Jesus was born in a manger.
Santa was, well, we don’t know where he came from.
Jesus gave the world his life.
Santa feeds the world’s consumerist habits by giving it toys
it doesn’t need.
Jesus can make ANYTHING out of wood.
Santa can only make rocking horses out of wood.
Jesus spent time with humans.
Santa spends time with elves and magical reindeer.
Jesus leads.
Santa manages.
Jesus empowers with his abilities, his character, his being.
Santa hogs the magic.
Jesus doesn’t need reindeer to fly.
Santa needs reindeer to fly – eight to be exact (nine if you
count Rudolph who’s a myth anyway).
Jesus would share the milk and cookies.
Santa eats all the milk and cookies himself.
Jesus has forgiven everybody.
Santa holds grudges by making ‘nice and naughty’ lists. Jerk.
Jesus rose from the dead therefore conquering finitude.
Santa hasn’t died… yet… so he’s still mortal.
Jesus is with us all of the time.
Santa is only social one day a year (and, no, Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day parade doesn’t count).
Jesus drinks wine.
Santa only drinks Coke (according to all of the
commercials).
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Santa eats all the bread.
I guess what I’m getting at is that Jesus is much cooler and
more inclusive than Santa Claus. Santa
Claus seems to be kind of stand-offish and lives life more like a hermit than
anything else. Plus he lives in the cold
weather, which just makes him odd… or Canadian.
Feel free to add to this list. I’d like to hear what you think the
differences are between Jesus and Santa. And enjoy this video of Robby Riggs reading “The Night Before Christmas” from India. Merry Christmas Eve, everyone.
