HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING

Scripture: “Thus hath the Lord dealth with me in the days wherein he looked on me” (Luke 1:25 KJV)

“You need to go to sleep! Santa won’t leave you presents if he finds you awake.”

Using a familiar Christmas song, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, year after year, my parents persuaded us to get into bed and go to sleep. I now see they had quite a task ahead of them, preparing “Santa” gifts for five kids. I tried everything I knew to quell my excitement. I definitely didn’t want Santa to find me awake!  

Although we know the stories we heard about Santa aren’t real, it’s comforting to know that the God Who Sees is real. Through Luke’s writings, we learn that Elisabeth recognized God’s ability to see her barrenness, prompting Him to answer her and Zacharias’ prayers.  

Genesis introduces “the God Who Sees” when the Angel of the Lord met Hagar by a fountain of water in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7 KJV), after she fled Abram’s wife, Sari (later named Abraham and Sara).

While reading the book of Ezekiel, I considered how God continuously knows our actions and thoughts.  God sees everything we do—the good and the bad. And He isn’t pleased when we fail to admit that seeing all things is one of His attributes.

God spoke to Ezekiel, “… Hast thou seen this, O son of man?” (Ezekiel 8:15 KJV) He leads Ezekiel to the inner court of the Lord’s house, to see the worshipers who turned their backs from the Temple and faced the east as they worshipped the sun.” (Ezekiel 8:16 KJV)

“Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger … Therefore, will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.” (Ezekiel 8:18-19 KJV)

In Ezekiel, chapter 9, we find that God raised six men with “destroying weapons in their hands” because the Israelites said, “The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not” (Ezekiel 9:9 KJV).

May we never forget God is the God Who Sees and is forever watching over us. As we play festive Christmas songs, let's proclaim His greatness to those around us. Perhaps this poem, Jesus is Better Than Santa, can help spread His message.

Jesus is Better Than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole; Jesus is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh; Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year; Jesus is an ever-present help.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited; Jesus stands at your door and knocks.

Santa makes you stand in line to see him; Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap; Jesus lets you rest in His arms.

Santa asks, “Little boy; little girl, what are your names?” Jesus knew our names before we did.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly; Jesus has a heart full of love.

Santa offers, “Ho, ho, ho.” Jesus offers health, help and hope.

Santa says, “You better not cry;” Jesus says, “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys; Jesus makes new lives, mends hearts, and repairs broken homes.

Santa may make you chuckle; Jesus gives you joy.

Santa puts gifts under your tree; Jesus became our gift and died on the tree.

There’s really no comparison. Jesus is the reason for the season! ^[i]

Me and my husband, Ben, when we dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus

SHARING HIS TRUTH DURING THIS HOLY SEASON  

My husband and I used to dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus. We'd share the wonderful poem; Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus. Perhaps you'd be interested in doing the same. (Dressing up is optional. Hahaha) Please credit the poem properly since I don't own the copyright. (See the endnote below.)

[i] Used with permission. World’s Greatest Collection of Church Jokes, © by Barbour Publishing, Inc.