probably not much difference. Here are 10 ways Jesus is not only different, but better than Santa...
10-Santa's helpers wear funny clothes and make toys. Jesus' helpers don't have to wear elf clothes and they make disciples. One of the main aspects of Christianity is the community of believers, all growing together and closer to Christ, and helping others come to know Christ as their Savior. Matthew 28:18-20.
9-Santa has to ride in a sleigh pulled by reindeer to get here. Jesus is always here. In fact, He is standing at our doors waiting for us to let Him in. Revelation 3:20.
8-Santa is only here once a year. Jesus will never leave us, forsake us, or give up on us. He is always here with us and for us. One of the key things to Christianity is having a daily walk or relationship with Christ, spending time with Him every day.
Isaiah 43:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
But
now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed
you, O Israel, “Do
not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called
you by name; you are Mine! “When
you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through
the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you
will not be scorched, nor
will the flame burn you. “For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One
of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt
7-Santa gives gifts to the nice and coal to the naughty. Jesus gives gifts to everyone. He came to save the naughty, not condemn them. His gifts are given because of His love for us, not because of what we have done. John 3:16.
Ephesians 2:8-9
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 For by grace you have
been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of
works, so that no one may boast.
6-The gifts Santa gives break. Jesus was broken for our gift.
Isaiah 53:5-7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
But He was pierced through
for our transgressions, He was crushed
for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused
the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His
mouth; like a lamb that is led to
slaughter, and like a sheep that is
silent before its shearers, so He did
not open His mouth.
5-Santa's joy is empty. Joy from Jesus makes us full, it doesn't have to leave. Christmas is about salvation. Don't lose sight of it! 1 Peter 1:8-9.
4-You can't live with Santa, but you can spend eternity with Jesus. Our destiny as believers is to live with God forever.
Revelation 22:3-5 New American
Standard Bible (NASB)
There will no
longer be any curse; and the throne of God
and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and
His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no
longer be any night; and they will not have
need of the light of a lamp nor the light of
the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and
ever.
3-Santa never loved you enough to die for you. Jesus did. He gave up His life so we could live.
2-Jesus is real and alive. Santa is not. Even the real Saint Nicholas is dead and no longer here. 1 Peter 3:18
1-Only Jesus can bring peace to our world and lives. And His peace brings us hope which is an anchor for our souls, keeping us steady through the storms and giving us security no matter what happens. There is so much chaos and insecurity in life especially around the holidays without Christ.
John 14:27
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to
you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be
troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Hebrews 6:19-20
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
19 This hope we have as
an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has
entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest
forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
So when you hear Santa say, "Ho Ho Ho", remember Jesus says, "You are Mine."
It is our responsibility as believers to tell the world as the angels told the shepherds, "God has sent His Son to bring peace and salvation to all men!"
(Taken from a sermon given by Cheyenne McElderry)
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