The magician grabs the hat and challenges Santa: And just what are YOU going to do about it? Here’s the rest of the conversation:
Santa: If you so much as lay a finger on the brim, I’ll never bring you another Christmas present as long as you live.
Magician: Never?
Santa: Never!
Magician: No more trick cards or magic balls or…
Santa: No more anything.
Magician: Oh, that’s not fair. I mean, we evil magicians have to make a living too.
Santa: Now you go home and write “I am very sorry for what I did to Frosty” a hundred zillion times. And then maybe, just maybe, mind you…you’ll find something in your stocking tomorrow morning.
Magician: A new hat maybe? Oh, yes sir. Goodbye everyone. I’ve got to get busy writing busy busy busy.
Now, why do I rehearse these details? Well, they simply show that Jesus is better.
1) He’s better than Santa. You see, when Jesus came as the Savior of the world, He didn’t come calling people to work up a fake sorry and contrition so they can receive good things from Him. They don’t have to write out anything a hundred zillion times. They don’t even have to say they are very sorry for wronging another person with the hopes that maybe, just maybe, they’ll earn Jesus’ good favor. Jesus simply gives it in spite of what we deserve or have done. We’re called to give up all hope of rescue in ourselves and to lean on Him only. Jesus forgives freely. We don’t put down a down payment on these things.
2) He’s better than Frosty. After all, Frosty is frozen at this point. He’s not able to do anything to effect change. Jesus is better than that because He went into the greenhouse (to use Frostyspeak) for us. He bore all the punishment and evil that we could possibly receive from sinful people so that we might be saved not just in part but on the whole. He’s a perfectly sympathetic High Priest.
3) And, of course, the salvation Jesus brings is better than what we see here. There’s so much contingent not on grace and mercy, but on penance and contrition. After all, is this even believable. Who could possibly be sorry enough to earn a gift from Santa. Jesus, on the other hand, says to any who are burdened with such things to give up. Come to Him, all who are weary and heavy laden and He will give you rest. His salvation is sweeter, deeper, and richer.
This holiday season, then, you have good news. A Savior has been born for you. You can freely rest in Him and know a love like you’ve never known. Jesus is better than these expressions. Look to Him.