Yahweh Yireh

The typical Christmas tradition has parents telling their children that Santa Clause watches to see if they have been bad or good. If he decides that they have been good then he will bring them a gift that they request of him. They are encouraged to either write Santa Clause a letter or go to the location that Santa currently is and sit on his lap to tell him in person what they want. The children dream of the reindeer and sleigh that their parents tell them that Santa Clause travels in to deliver the presents. They fix him a little snack of cookies and milk setting it by the fire place through which they were told he would enter. The parents take a few minutes to tell the children about Jesus coming to earth as a baby. They may even read a short story about Jesus. They put most of their energy and emphasis on Santa though, because they think the children will enjoy a nice magical story better. They feel it makes the season more fun. Finally, Christmas morning the children awake to find the present they asked him for under the Christmas tree. They open it with excitement thinking that Santa himself had delivered it secretly in the night. They joyfully thank Santa Clause while they sit in awe of how real he appears to be since the present they asked for is actually there. Meanwhile, Yahweh Yireh (God our Provider) Who is truly real and loves the family, has generously provided the parents with the means to get the present. The parents do not realize that Yahweh Yireh, Father of Jesus Christ, longs for the children to dream of Him. It saddens Him when they give gratitude and adoration to an imaginary character, in no way linking this act of love to Him. He sent His own son to die for them. Being real, the children can talk to Him any time of the year. Being God, there is plenty to dream about and imagine concerning Him making the season more fun than believing in some imaginary character.