“Son, you are about to graduate and head to college. This is the time you enter real life. So I guess I should start now by telling you, Santa Claus is not real!”
The son feigned shock as the audience erupted in laughter. Our family was attending a special luncheon banquet to honor graduating high school seniors. Each student was asked to introduce their parents who were then asked to say something to their child. Most were polite congratulations but not this one!
There are many traditions, based upon folklore, with which our children are indoctrinated. Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are just a few. In fact, every culture has similar mythical figures, representing a wide range of traditions. At some point, every child learns that these traditions are not true. Yet, it is almost inevitable that they also will teach these same traditions to their children. Why? It may be to motivate our children to be good during the year so Santa will reward them or to encourage them to go to the dentist to have their loose tooth pulled. Since parents are the true gift givers instead of Santa and the Tooth Fairy, why not just tell our children the truth from the beginning? Why conjure an elaborate myth to conceal the truth? Why, indeed?
A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
Matthew 28:12-15 (NLT)
Nearly two thousand years ago, a more sinister scheme arose and an elaborate story was concocted to conceal the truth. Three days earlier, everyone saw Jesus Christ die a horrible and humiliating death on the Cross, a fate reserved for the worst criminals in Roman society. A Roman soldier even pierced His side with a spear to ensure He was dead. Many witnessed His broken body taken down from the Cross and placed into a new tomb, owned by a wealthy follower of Jesus. Yet, three days later, the tomb was empty. Numerous eyewitnesses attested that they saw the Risen Christ. The Jewish elders were frantic. Rather than deny the Resurrection occurred, they bribed the soldiers who were tasked to guard the tomb to spread the lie that the disciples of Jesus stole His body.
At some point in everyone’s life, we will learn that traditions like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are not real. Why stop there? What about matters that determine our eternal destiny? Shouldn’t we also re-examine many myths surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? His body was not stolen by His disciples. He did not simply lose consciousness and appear to be in a death-like swoon. Jesus Christ was dead, confirmed by thousands of witnesses. Jesus Christ was resurrected, confirmed by over five hundred followers. All of Christianity centers upon the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Santa Claus is not real.
Jesus Christ is. He is alive and He is God!
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 