What’s the Story with Christmas?
By Pastor Jon Ritner
Williamsburg Community Chapel
Each year as December rolls around, our culture seems to dust off the bookshelves and pull down our two favorite holiday stories. They are both tales of joy and happiness; peace and goodwill; gifts and miracles. But that is where the similarities of these two stories end. For the two heroes of the American Christmas, Santa Claus and Baby Jesus represent two very different messages. One story is about a jolly fat man who rewards good behavior and the other is about a little baby boy who came to be a savior.
Talking about Santa and religion is tricky. So, before I get accused of being a Scrooge, let me clarify, that I am not against Santa. We can agree to disagree about the tradition of Santa Claus. Some families connect Santa to the historic Christian Saint Nicolas and even have statues of Santa kneeling down to baby Jesus. Others want to remind me that Santa rearranged spells Satan, who happens to be another character all dressed in red. Others ignore any religious notions at all and just enjoy the fun of Santa wish lists and leaving out milk and cookies. But whatever your tradition, we can all agree that the legend of the American, rosy cheeked, Coca-Cola drinking Santa is indisputable:
You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who’s naughty and nice, 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!
The moral of the Santa story is simple. “If you stop crying, stop pouting, be good, and go to bed, you will get a treat in the morning.” Forget Christmas Eve, that sounds like the promise I make to my kids every night! I am convinced that the Santa myth was created by two Scandinavian parents who were struggling with some seriously rebellious kids. Nothing motivates kids in December like the threat of Santa passing over their house on Christmas. The story of Christmas that gets the most publicity each year is this; Santa is coming and that is good news for GOOD people.
But the other Christmas narrative tells a very different story. Jesus has come and that is good news for ALL people. When the angel appeared in the sky to declare the birth of Jesus to some shepherds, he said, “Behold, I bring good news for all people. Today…a savior has been born for you.” (Luke 2:10-11) The angel did not promise good news merely for good people, or for religious people, for church people, for honest people, or even for above average people…he came from God to deliver good news for ALL people.
The reason is simple, all people are alike when it comes to our spiritual condition; we are all in need of a savior. No matter how good we have been in life, our goodness does not compare to the perfect standard set by the Holy God who fashioned us. We all know that we are good in comparison to some other people, but in comparison to the Creator of the Universe, we are all inadequate. In fact, that little baby in a manger would grow up to one day tell a crowd of people, “No one is good but God alone.” (Mark 10:18) In fact, the message of Jesus’ life would be represented by his death. God loves all people so much that he would rescue us from our imperfection by sending his perfect Son to die in our place. The only way to be in the presence of a perfect God in heaven is to be perfected by His free gift.
As I listen to people share their spiritual beliefs, I find many that are living their life as if God revealed himself at Christmas in the character of Santa Claus rather than in the person of Jesus Christ. Some seem to be living their life trying to be good so that they will be rewarded with eternal gifts when they die. But that story is only true if Santa Claus is seated on the throne of Heaven. The significance of Christmas is not to be good in order to receive free gifts. It is rather to receive the free gift from the only one who is good, God himself.
As you read and celebrate the traditions surrounding both stories this Christmas season, I hope the true Message of Christmas, Jesus Christ, will become more than just a story. In fact, I hope He becomes your Savior. Merry Christmas!
Jon Ritner serves as Associate Pastor of the Williamsburg Community Chapel. Jon is a native of the New York City suburbs but has called Williamsburg home for 14 of the last 17 years. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and earned his Masters degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School outside Chicago, IL. He has been on staff at the Chapel since 2002.
Jon and his wife, Kristyn, have a 5 year old daughter, Addison Clark, and a 2 year old son, Jackson Noah. The Ritner family highlight of 2010 was taking Addy to her first Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Addy is named after the two streets that run alongside Wrigley, West Addison St. and North Clark St. The Ritners can be found most weekends at Tribe games, Chick Fil-A or tracking down the sheep in Colonial Williamsburg.
Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Highway
www.wcchapel.org 757-229-7152
Christmas Eve Schedule:
Family Services 4:30 & 6:30 PM
Candlelight Service: 11 PM
Join us January 9th as we being our new series,
A New Year… A New You
Weekly Sunday Services begin at 9 & 11 AM with a full program for students, children and secure nursery.
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