Jesus > Santa

   This past Sunday was the first Sunday of the Advent Season. The next four weeks are going to be spent in preparing our hearts, souls, and minds for the coming of our Lord and Saviour. The Gospel reading was from the Gospel of St. Mark,

“Jesus said to his disciples:
"Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'" 

Mark 13:33-37

   Our priest gave a homily on focusing and preparing ourselves for the true reason of the Season, Christ. So many times we just focus on the commercial side of this Holiday, when in truth we should be anxiously awaiting our Lord. Not running around to buy the perfect gift, filling out time with Christmas parties, buying the perfect outfit for Christmas Eve Mass, being too concerned about the decorations that get put up, and so much more. One of the most commercial things of this Season is putting Santa Claus before Jesus. Time to ask ourselves, who are we really preparing for? The man in the red suit, or the infant born to Mary and Joseph in a manger in Bethlehem…

   Being at the teen Mass, I always find myself wondering if they are really paying attention to the priest, or being too interested in who is around them, what song is next, etc.  Well, Sunday night, I got my answer. The following is a conversation between two teens on a Facebook status.  (I’m not going to be posting their names.)

M’s status : Jesus > Santa Claus

                (Responses)

L: Santa fills your stockings, while Jesus fills your needs.

M: Santa comes once a year…Jesus is always here.

L: Santa lives at the North Pole, Jesus lives everywhere.

M: Santa eats your cookies and drinks your milk, Jesus gives His Body and Blood. (came up with that one with the help of Jesus….not santa)

L: Santa says, “You better not cry…” Jesus says, “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you”

M: Santa loves you only when you are good, Jesus always loves you, good or bad.

L: While Santa puts gifts under your tree, Jesus became our gift and died on a tree.

M: Jesus promises eternal life…Santa promises…nothing.

L: Santa’s little helpers make toys, while Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions…

M: Santa rides in a sleigh…Jesus rides on the wind and walks on water.

L: You have to wait in line to see Santa, but Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.

M: Santa can make you chuckle, but Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.

L:  Santa asks “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”, while Jesus knew your name before you did. Not only does He know your name, He knows our history and future. He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

M: Santa comes down your chimney uninvited, Jesus stands and your door and knocks, and them enters your heart when invited.

L: Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly, while Jesus has a heart full of love.

M: Santa lets you sit on his lap, Jesus lets you rest in His arms.

L: All Santa can offer is hohoho, while Jesus offers health, help, and hope.

S: Santa comes for the season…Christ is the reason for the season…He created them.

S: Santa has elves & reindeer. Jesus has the Saints, Angels & us!

L: While Santa is clothed in a red jumpsuit and fluffy red hat, Jesus is clothed in light and brilliant majesty.

   They got me. They get it. Jesus IS the REASON for the Season.

Lesson Learned: There are so many things the youth have to teach us adults, sometimes we just have to listen…