Someone asked me for advice this morning. Well, more of my opinion or thoughts on a situation. Some feedback on the situation. Someone that I usually go to for advice. At first I was very flattered. Then I was horrified.
Apparently someone they know has a tradition on Christmas Eve of telling the kids “Look, Santa’s coming, you better get in bed!” and pointing out the window. And they have someone put on a Santa hat and run past the window. Well, this year their youngest is 3, and it totally freaked her out. Completely. She started screaming and crying and wouldn’t go to bed and STILL will not sleep or nap unless her parents are in the room with her. They’re taking her to the Doctor and they think they might have to put her in counseling.
I said, “Dear Lord! Just tell the poor thing the truth!” Apparently that’s what several people have suggested, but they don’t want to ruin the magic of Christmas for the whole family just yet.
Seriously? I think that boat has sailed…
I am amazed at the lengths we will go to in perpetuating a lie just because it makes us feel better–temporarily. And I’m not saying that because we’ve let Santa go in our house (and hardly didn’t miss him by the way!). I had Santa growing up, and I have no doubt if it came to a choice between Santa and my mental health and well being, my parents would have found some “Christmas magic” somewhere else and told me the truth!
I am thankful for truth. Thankful that it’s a solid, real thing that I can put my hands on every time I hold my Bible. Thankful that it’s unchanging and enduring and I can bet my life (and my kids lives!) on it without fear.
“For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalms 117:2)
I am thankful that God has opened my heart and mind to see the truth, in all it’s glory and heartache. I am thankful that His truth is an open gift for anyone that would believe on Christ and accept it.
“Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word…And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not…He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” (John 8:43, 45, 47)
I am thankful that my faith sets me free to live out the truth and not be a slave to false words, temporary pleasure, or the shaky ground of relative morality. I am thankful to be set free from sin to live an everlasting life of blessings and abundance. There’s a lovely post, here, from Raising Arrows that talks about the freedom of living “outside the box” of the world.
“Then Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth no in the house forever: but the son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:31-36)
And I am thankful that the truth offers us a beautiful “magic” all it’s own. The magic of the Cowboy”s teacher asking if he got lots of presents for Christmas and him responding with “Yes, but Christmas isn’t about presents. Jesus only got 3 presents, ya know.” The magic of the Ladybug pointing at the nativity and saying, “The wise men brought Jesus gifts. He got gold, silver, and something from Frank.”
The magic of love.
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” (1 John 3:18-19)
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