Last year at Christmas somebody gave me a snowman tie. I can’t remember who. I think it may have been Amy and the boys. Anyway, you can push a little button on the tie and it will play Christmas tunes.
One of the songs is “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” How many children in the world have modified their behavior at least a little bit around Christmas time because of this song? You know the line: “You’d better watch out / You’d better not pout / You’d better not cry / I’m telling you why / Santa Claus is coming to town.” Parents have used this song for ages to threaten their kids to try to make them be good for goodness’ sake.
See, everybody knows that Santa’s got this list. He knows if you’ve been bad or good. He’s even double-checking to see if he’s got it right. There are presents at stake here! The entire thrill of Christmas is a make or break deal based on which list you’re on.
Nobody wants to be on the naughty list. It’s bad news if you wake up on Christmas morning and all you’ve got in your stocking is a lump of coal. Man, you want to see presents under the tree – with your name on them! That’s what Christmas is all about, right?
Well, not exactly.
Then it’s about the spirit of giving, right? You know, being kind to others, spending time with family, going to basketball games at the holiday tournament, drinking eggnog and blowing your diet on candy canes and cookies?
Uh, maybe we’d better take a look at it all from God’s point of view. Being kind to others, giving, family – those are good things, yes. Basketball – definitely. But there’s a greater purpose. God has a purpose and plan for all that He does.
See, God’s got this list going, too. It’s a book, actually. It’s called the “Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). In this book are the names of those who belong to the Lamb, who is Jesus, the Messiah. He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). He is “our Passover lamb” who has been sacrificed on the cross (1 Cor. 5:7). He is the “lamb without blemish or defect,” whose precious blood has redeemed us from the empty way of life handed down to us from our forefathers, who was chosen before the creation of the world, and through whom we believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him (cf. 1 Peter 1:18-21).
And nobody gets on this list just by being good. The truth is, we all deserve to be on the naughty list. We’ve all sinned. Not a single one of us is perfect. You may be a better neighbor than State Farm. You may have a coffee mug inscribed with: “World’s Number 1 Dad.” You may have an employee of the month certificate hanging on your wall. None of those things will get your name in the Lamb’s book of life. Even faithful church attendance, giving to the poor and saying your prayers are not enough.
There’s simply no way we can possibly save ourselves. Nothing impure will ever enter into the glory of God in heaven, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
The only way you get your name written in that book is by repenting of your sins and receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins! He is the Savior who has been born to us; He is Christ the Lord! He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came with the authority to forgive sins. He came to testify to the truth of His everlasting kingdom.
Even Linus knows what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. It’s not about Christmas pageants or beautifully decorated trees or big family gatherings. It’s about God sending Jesus, who came not to condemn the world, but to save His people from their sins.
There’s more than presents at stake here. The thrill of heaven is a make or break deal based on whether or not your name is written in that book. The message of the Savior is the good news that brings great joy – and it’s for all the people. It’s for you, dear friend.
May your Christmas be filled with the peace of knowing Christ Jesus and the joy of His salvation.
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