You Better Watch Out

Okay, so that IS a line from a popular Christmas song. I find it amusing that Santa Claus exhibits the characteristic of omniscience! "He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake." Funny. It's a nice sentiment and it encapsulates an understanding of Christmas. Indulge me for a minutes...

Santa lives at the North Pole.
God lives in Heaven.

Santa has elves working for him that make toys (gifts) for all the good girls and boys.
God created everything and sent His Son as the ultimate gift for everyone.

I could go on for quite some time but you get the point. One thing though about "Santa Claus." He may know about sleeping and he may know about your behavior but... he doesn't know when Christ is coming back.

Consider this passage today;

Mark 13:32-36 (NIV)

The Day and Hour Unknown

³² “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert^a! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

^[1]

^a Some manuscripts alert and pray

^[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

We know that the evidence of "Santa Claus'" coming occurs on December 25. But we don't know when Christ is coming back.

And whereas we are to sleep, pretend to sleep or whatever with respect to the sudden appearance of "Santa Claus" we are to be on guard and alert for the coming of The King. Now, I don't think that means we aren't to ever sleep. I believe it is more a reference to the state of our being, not the state of our body. If we are lulled into complacency by the world or enticed into sinful behavior by Satan et al, then we will not be ready for the return of Christ. That's why we are to be on guard against the temptations of Satan, that's why we are to be alert to the snares of this world, that we can be ready when the Son of God suddenly appears.

More indulgences please... "He knows what you've been thinking, he knows you've gone astray, he knows if your heart is bad or good so be good for his kingdom sake. Oh, you better watch out, keep a sharp eye, he's coming for you though you're made out of dirt... Jesus Christ is coming to Earth."

Absurdly Happy,
Carl