Santa Claus is Coming to Town

He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good,
so be good for goodness sake.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town, J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, 1934

Tis the Season! Many a mom and dad have garnered good behavior from their wee ones by simply uttering the phrase, "Santa is watching!" Children suddenly behave well, for fear of Santa putting them on the naughty list, and receiving coal in their stocking.

Interestingly, I've never heard a parent say, "Jesus is watching you." The funny thing Jesus really does see you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good. That's where the similarities with Santa seem to end.

Santa writes you off when you're bad. You're on the naughty list. Yet somehow, Santa's idea of good versus bad must be flawed. We've all know a bratty child who gets a pony (or at least a new bike) for Christmas. Likewise, plenty of "good," yet poor children get nothing for Christmas. Santa doesn't always come through.

Jesus knows if you've been bad or good. He knows full well. Yet, he loved us while we were still sinners and died on the cross because we could never be good enough. Jesus doesn't base our gift, the gift of Salvation, on our being good or bad. He bases it on our faith in Him. Yes, he does want us to be good and to do good. But when we miss the mark, we still get the gift of salvation.

Musical Musings:
1. Do you realize the because of God's grace, our salvation is not merit based?
2. How does this change your idea of what being good is about?
3. Following God should produce a change in you, and that change produce good things. Ask God to help you today.

Karaoke:
Lord, you know all, you see all. You see every bad thing I do. Forgive me Lord. Thank you for allowing me to receive forgiveness through Jesus. I don't deserve it. You are a good God. Help me be more like you daily. In Jesus name, Amen.

Rock on: Read about life by the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit, that comes from living a life changed by God in Galatians 5.