In the 1994 movie “The Santa Clause” actor Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a top ad executive and divorcee who is used to living his life his way and used to getting what he wants. But in a strange turn of events one Christmas Eve, Scott Calvin (note the initials S.C.) finds a Santa Claus suit, puts it on and begins delivering presents in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. At first he is convinced this is all a dream and only begrudgingly delivers the presents while snarling at the inconveniences and children who should be asleep. But over time he learns that he actually is the new Santa Clause, and his body changes so that he looks the part. What is more, he actually changes in the process. As a result of acting like Santa, he becomes more like Santa—more joyful, giving and kindhearted. He becomes a new man.
Jesus came into this world so that we may go thru the change from old to new. Christ’s birth calls us to be different people—a radical, deep change of our character. This is the work of the Spirit in our lives, and we decide whether or not we will cooperate. And we simply can’t think our way into a new existence. Like Scott Calvin out delivering gifts as if he were Santa on Christmas Eve, we have to get out and practice being like Jesus in order to become more like Jesus. Practice is how we cooperate with Christ.
I kinda felt this happening to me Sunday as we traveled from home to home singing carols. I realized it is one thing to hear the songs on the radio. But it is entirely different (life-changing and life-giving) to get out and sing them myself. We don’t sit idly by and wish for change to occur. We are empowered by the Christ-child within us to act and become something new—all to help us love God and love neighbor. This is my prayer for myself and for each one of you this blessed Christmas season. May we grow in grace as we practice our faith together—these twelve days from Christmas until Epiphany.
Fa la la la la la la la la,
Pastor David
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