SPECIAL EDITION: “HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS” by Polly Gwinn, December 9, 2007 It is the first of December and already I am hearing Christmas carols on the radio. Trees, wreaths and lights are seen in and on the houses and throughout the stores. People are getting excited as they do every year at this time in anticipation of the coming holiday and the annual visit from the jolly old fellow from the North Pole. Are we as excited at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? Do we feel that urgency to “be ready”? Are we looking forward to the “gifts” that He will be bringing? Here comes Santa Claus, here come Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God in Heaven (Rom. 8:34). He will leave this position and descend to the earth; “For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thess. 4:16). Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer will be with Santa Paul longed that when Jesus Christ would return He would find people blameless before men and holy before God. The holy ones accompanying Christ at His Second Coming are probably the souls of the saints who have departed this life and gone to be with Christ (1 Thess. 3:13). Pulling on the reins No one will be pulling on the reins of the great White Horse but the rider who is called Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11). Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright There will voices of many angels; numbering thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand. Along with the living creatures and the elders, in a loud voice they will sing to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb (Rev. 5:11-14). Hang your stockings and say your prayers, ‘cause Santa Claus comes tonight Be patient until the Lord’s Coming because the Coming is near; and if any one is in trouble then pray, for the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:7, 13, 16). We know when Santa will come but the Lord will come in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet and we will rise imperishable and we will be changed (1 Cor. 15:51-52). Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane Unlike Santa, Christ is real and alive and has been raised from the dead. In Christ we (who belong to Him) have all been made alive and will too be raised from the dead when He comes; then the end will come (1 Cor. 15:20-24). Santa has a bag that’s filled with toys for boys and girls Christ will bring His reward with Him and will give to everyone according to what he has done. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city (Rev. 22:12-14). Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live” (John 5:25-29). This voice will be like the one the Apostle John heard; a loud voice, like a trumpet (Rev. 1:10, 4:1). We will hear the midnight cry and the Bridegroom will be here (Matt. 25:6). Oh, what a beautiful sight Santa and his sleigh is a beautiful sight to the children but for the children of God there is a far more beautiful sight waiting. A throne in Heaven with a rainbow resembling an emerald will encircle the throne. There is a sea of glass, clear as crystal and the living creatures will sing Holy, Holy, Holy day and night (Rev. 4:1-11). So jump in bed and cover your head Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith (1 Cor. 16:13); be self-controlled and alert (1 Peter 5:8); “behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him” (Rev. 16:15). ‘cause Santa Claus comes tonight “The Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The Heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane “Therefore, keep watch because you do not know on what Day your Lord will come” (Matt. 24:42). He will be coming in a cloud with power and glory (Luke 21:27). Santa doesn’t care if you are rich or poor “God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34), for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Santa loves you just the same God loves you more than you can ever imagine. He sent His only Son to save you so that you would not perish if you only believe on Him (John 3:16). Santa knows we are all God’s children Jesus knows His sheep and they listen to His voice and follow Him (John 10:14-30). We are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). That makes everything right God chose us in Him before the creation of the world and in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Eph. 1:4-7). When He comes again He will make everything right and wipe every tear from our eyes; there will be no more death, mourning or pain (Rev. 21:4-5). So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer Since you have been filled with God’s grace you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed (1 Cor. 1:4-9). ‘cause Santa Claus comes tonight No one knows the day or hour that the Son will come but we are told that He will come in the clouds of the sky with power and glory (Matt. 24:30-36). Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane Again I stress that we do not know the hour or the day that Jesus will come again (Matt. 24:42, 44) but it will be an hour when we do not expect. Santa will come around when the chimes ring out Christ Jesus stands and knocks (Rev. 3:20) and not only will the trumpets sound but there will be what sounds like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder (Rev. 19:6). The chimes ring for Santa to say that it is Christmas morn The trumpets ring out for Christ to say that there is a Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God. The loud voice from the throne will declare that the dwelling of God is with men and He will live with them and be their God (Rev. 21:1-3). Peace on earth will come to all “Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:14); “For to us a child is born and He will be called Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6)! If we just follow the light Jesus said; “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, Ps. 119:105). So let’s give thanks to the Lord above Praise the Lord with trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine and dancing. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Ps. 150:1-6), and enter His gates with thanksgiving (Ps. 100:4). That Santa Claus comes tonight The Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His holy ones (Jude 14) and He will declare, “IT IS DONE” (Rev. 21:6)! It is time to get excited with anticipation of the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior!