This term has become somewhat of a buzzword in the political realm.  As I understand this, it is the rewriting of history, to match one's own personal ambitions and desires.  'Rewrite it as to make me the innocent party.  Rewrite it, so I can have the maximum gain from the revision.'   It doesn't matter if it is truth or falsehood, it's all about whether or not it serves me.

Well let's look at some current revisionist history.  I say current, because it is a recent occurrence, but it is by no means new.  This lie has gone on for centuries.

The revision is of a friendly gentleman, a man of benevolence.  This man is known by all in this country.  Some have magical notions of his person.  Others simply attribute to him childhood delight.  Yes, it's Santa.

Now, I don't write this in order to get on a campaign to bash something just to vent my frustrations and lift up some pompous soapbox.  And I don't believe that God needs my defense of His Lordship.  Also I don't think that many will disagree, but I believe it's a heart issue that I'm going after, one that may secretly thwart our relationship with the Father.

I believe some of us want a fairy tale; desire to believe an illusion.  And who is this delusion about, but God Himself.  Some prefer Santa over the living God.  He certainly is more comforting at our doctrinal dinner table.  Think about it, we can surgically remove His Lordship, snipping off all the aspects of Him that we just don't approve of.  Santa is sweet and benevolent, knowing the goodness and badness of all the children, yet usually has the grace to give us what we wish.  Amazingly, the living God also knows the goodness and badness of all His children, usually having the grace to give us what we wish, even our desired for detriment. 

Israel desired a king and God granted them what they wished.  In King Saul they got the human expression of their desire to dethrone God.  Now my question is, "Is Santa the same?"  For some, the answer is NO!  For others, I fear he might be.

Santa is certainly less scary than a God with a mind.  Santa represents the goodness of God, with a facelift.  His goodness then becomes what we say it is; a gift-giver, a blesser, a benevolent hand, offering only good gifts.  This is certainly easier to take than a God who causes the earth to rumble at His feet.  A God who can be frightening and disturbing, sending Himself under the radar screen as a Child and flipping the world on its end, turning over well-established tables in the Temple, crucifying Himself on the cross of man's scorn and disdain of Him.  A God who sends His chosen ones to the land of exile for the choices they chose against Him.  This God we serve is too touchy, too easily offended, and too capable of offending.

Yes, Santa is more cozy in our fantasies, yet less likely to save in our time of trouble.  Santa is not the sin, but what it might reveal of our heart is.  Yes, Santa does receive our offerings and usually delivers like a genie in a bottle, but will he be there for our crises during the year.  I don't say this to empower mindless Christian controversy on inane arguments, for this wastes time and energy and makes us look more foolish than wise.  But I do say this so that we, His children, will remember the One who was wounded for our transgressions, who was bruised for our guilt and iniquities, who took our chastisement which was needful to obtain peace and well-being.  I say this so we can remember the Babe in the manger, who grew up to be wounded by God that we may be healed and made whole. (Is. 53:5) I say this about the He, who is God above all other gods.  The He who is currently reigning and ruling on His throne over our lives today.

Who cares about Santa? I'm not saying go burn your Santas, or wake your children up and tell them the truth, or boycott your local mall, because one is employed there.  No!  It's really none of your business if your neighbor has fifty glowing Santas sitting in his front yard, gazing at a miniature nativity scene.  What I am saying is let's ask the Holy Spirit to reveal our hearts and show us where there might be an area of our thoughts that is unworthy of God. Where do I prefer a Santa over God, in my life?  Where in my thoughts and mind do I desire to control God and make Him in my image?  We're human and in our old nature desire to be God, and/or control Him.

This Christmas season, let's look to the Savior who saved us.  The One whose coming we remember during this season.  He came to set us free from vain thinking and make us alive in Christ.  Let's ask Him to reveal to us every lofty thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of our Most High God.  And let's ask Him to show us where we preferred to rule Him, rather than be ruled by Him.  We have already been made free, let's live in Him.  

Merry Christmas!!!

Copyright ©  John Enslow