Is Jesus Really the Reason for the Season?

Is Jesus Really the Reason for the Season?

“They say that Jesus is the reason for the season.
Should He not be the reason for our lives?” – Brian Ridgell

From December 14, 2004:

This year as Santa comes strolling into town, he’s got an eye out for those who have been good and those who have been bad. We all know the lyrics, “He’s making a list. He’s checking it twice. He’s gonna find out whose naughty or nice…”

The difference between Santa Clause and God are that Santa only offers his gifts to those who have been good. Now, with this being true, I can understand why no one believes in Santa Clause. He’s never left the North Pole because his list is blank. No one deserves his gifts so we have to go out and buy them for each other.

good - Of moral excellence; upright: a good person.

By God’s standards, no one matches up. We ask ourselves if we have ever stolen, looked upon another in lust, said God’s name in vain, shown ill will towards another, or have broken any of the other commands that God expects us to obey. If you say that you haven’t, you’ve already fallen short of the perfection of God by lying.

The difference between Santa Clause and God are that while no one deserves God’s gift either, he offers it anyway. We are all naughty. In fact, that is the reason God offers His gift. If we weren’t naughty, there would be no reason for His gift, which is salvation through His son Jesus Christ. A lot of us in America know of this free gift, yet we don’t receive it. Receiving a gift means taking it in and making it yours. Jesus doesn’t just want us to know about Him, but to receive Him.

When Jesus was being crucified on the cross, there were two criminals hanging next to Him. Today’s scripture is from the Gospel of Luke. After you read the lines below, take time to listen to the song I have posted on the Psalm 22 website concerning these criminals.

1. http://www.psalm22.net/song2.htm

2. http://www.psalm22.net/song2.mp3

John 23:39-43

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Scott A. Hescht
Psalm 22 Ministries
http://www.psalm22.net

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