Santa Claus is coming to town

This is something that was in our Women's Ministries Newsletter for this month, and I liked it...and thought you would too!

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus

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 fills your stockings with goodies...JESUS supplies all your needs. Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...JESUS stands at you door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited. You have to wait in line to see Santa...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 doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address, too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...JESUS has a heart full of love. All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...JESUS offers health, help, and hope. Santa says, "You better not cry"...JESUS says "Cast all you cares on me for I care for you." Santa's little helpers make toys...JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions. Santa may make you chuckle but...JESUS gives you joy that is your strength. While Santa puts gifts under your tree...JESUS became our gift and died on a tree...the cross. Let's remember to keep Christ in Christmas...Jesus is the reason for the season.

and here's one more...(this one really hit home...especially the part about he kids and husband!)

1 Corinthians 13 applied to Christmas

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, stands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I am just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautiful adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I'm just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't. Love bears all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.