If you can remember that feeling of being a child at Christmas, you probably remember these words:

He sees you when your sleeping. He knows when you’re awake.
He knows if you’ve been bad or good. So be good, for goodness sake!
You better watch out; you better not cry.
You better not pout; I’m telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town!

 

Now the remarkable thing about that song is that it actually had some power to help kids “get a handle” on their behavior. After all, who wants to be left out of all the gift-opening joy that comes from Santa Claus’s visit!

Unfortunately, however—as we get a little older—I’m not sure that “missing out on Santa Claus” carries quite enough weight to help us live the lives we know we should. And so, maybe today’s word from Titus Chapter 2 can offer an alternative motivation.

“God’s readiness to give and forgive,” the Bible says, “is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.” (Titus 2, The Message)

 

So this Christmas…let’s be good, for goodness sake! Not because we’re afraid of missing out on the gifts of Christmas morning, but because we’re so grateful for The Gift we’ve already been given: The Gift of a Savior, who makes us new. Amen.