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“And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord ,
and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside
to the right hand or to the left.”
2 Kings 22:2

Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. For Christians the celebration of the birth of Christ is the Reason for the Season.

The poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" became the tradition in many American families to be read every Christmas Eve in expectation and anticipation of Ole St. Nick coming and bearing gifts. Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. The poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.'

After having heard this poem read many times as a child I remember waiting with great anticipation for Santa Claus on Christmas. I remember the sweet moment that I actually believed he was coming to our house that night on Christmas Eve. I went to our living room and gazed out of the window truly believing he was about to pass by in the sky in his sleigh. I was nervously thinking about seeing the reindeer and Rudolph's red nose. And I knew he was coming down our chimney, even though we did not have a chimney. I guess as a child I believed he would magically make one. (Smile) I believed he liked cookies, so I made sure he had a plate of cookies for a snack. I can't remember what I wanted for Christmas but the memory of the anticipation of waiting for Santa to appear cannot be erased.

Young King Josiah in 2 Kings22 grew up with a father, King Amon, who did not teach his son godly ways. King Amon followed the ways of his father and taught those things that were displeasing to God 2 Kings 21:19-22. But King Josiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord and took away and destroyed the evil practices of his father 2 Kings 22:2. Nelson's Bible Commentary says young Josiah apparently was in the hands of godly advisors possibly the prophet Zephaniah. He repaired the house of God and after having the Book of the Law (the Word of God), read to him for the first time 2 Kings 22:8-11 he reestablished all those things that pleased God including the celebration of the Passover 2 Kings 23:21-22, that God had instructed His people to always observe Exodus 12:14; the celebration that points to the anticipation of the coming Messiah, the Lamb of God, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ who takes away the sins of the world. Exodus 12:2-13

So, what do you think will bless and please our God more this season, the story of Santa Claus or sharing the gift of the coming of His Son, the Messiah? As some say Santa Claus is just for fun, we shouldn't take away all the fun from the children.

Someone reared King Josiah in such a way he wanted to do that which was pleasing to the Lord even after having a father and grandfather who did everything but please Him. After having read the Word of God he sought even more to do that was pleasing to God. 2 Kings 23:1-3

Can you imagine having our children waiting with the same anticipation for our Savior as I did for Santa Claus?

Let us remember Jesus, our example to follow John 8:29 and as Christians we should follow Him Colossians 1:10.

God says, “_____________, (insert your name) How much do you love me? Make my Son the gift this season much more than any physical gift you can give. And as You bless Me, there I will dwell in your presence."

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When I waited for Santa Claus that night, I can't even remember the gift I wanted for Christmas but nothing can erase that feeling of the anticipation of the one who was bringing the gifts. I pray that, like King Josiah, after reading the Word of God, we seek to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. I pray that He will give us an opportunity to make the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah as vivid as my anticipation of the coming of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

Today's Prayer

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