Santa Claus || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Seven

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Si Santa Claus ay nagsilbing simbolo ng pagbibigay at kagandahang loob sa panahon ng kapaskuhan. Santa is described to have Superman speed and flight, nakakalipad at naiikot niya ang buong mundo sa gabi ng December 24 habang nakasakay sa isang ice sled na hinihila naman ng mga reindeers na pinangungunahan ni Rudolph. By the morning of December 25, all the toys and presents for kids are secured in socks hung by children the previous night.

Ang Santa tradition ay naihatid sa atin ng mga Americans sa start ng 20th century. It all started sa US when Americans revived the celebration of Christmas early in the 19th century. Dati kasi because of the New England settlers na galing sa Inglatera, Christmas was lawfully banned. Malaki ang role ng commercialization at ang unti-unting pagdami ng iba't ibang kultura sa US sa pagkaroon ng interes nito sa mga Amerikano subalit sa mga Pilipino this was a continuation of the old gift-giving tradition of the Filipinos during Christmas. Nag-iba lang circumstances subalit ganon pa rin ang buod ng gawain -- ang magbigay ng kasayahan sa mga mahal sa buhay tuwing kapaskuhan by giving gifts.

Ang pagbibigay ay isang feature ng pag-ibig. Ang love ay hindi lang primarily a condition of the heart but also an act of the will. Sa John 3:16 you would read about both where the Apostle John states the condition of God's heart for men which is love and His action which is the giving of His Only Begotten Son.

Ito ang pinakamagandang feature ng Christmas na magandang pagnilay-nilayan ng believer dahil sa puro na expression nito galing sa Panginoon mismo. Sabi nga ni Pastor John Piper,

How could we possibly even think of giving our children a bowl of bland, sugarless porridge when they are offered the greatest meal in the world? Why would we give them Santa Claus when they can have the incarnation of the Son of God? It is just mind boggling to me that any Christian would even contemplate such a trade — that we would divert attention away from the incarnation of the God of the universe into this world to save us and our children. I scarcely have words for it that people would contemplate this. Not only is Santa Claus not true and Jesus is very truth himself, but compared to Jesus, Santa is simply pitiful and our kids should be helped to see this.*

MGA KATANUNGAN SA JOHN 3:16

1. Ano ang binabanggit na pagtingin ng Panginoon sa mundo?
2. Ano ang ipinakitang ginawa ng Panginoon sa pagtingin na ito?
3. Ano ang naging result ng ginawa ng Panginoon?
4. Anu-ano ang mga ginawa ng Panginoon sa'yo nitong nakaraang taon na iyong masasabi na galing sa pagmamahal ng Panginoon?

IBIG NG DIYOS NA MAKITA MO ANG KANIYANG PAG-IBIG
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*  John Piper, "Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion?" in Desiring God (website); accessed at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/santa-claus-harmless-fun-or-christmastime-diversion


Related:
Preface to 9-Day Devotional
Day One - "Maaga Kami Kinabukasan: Simbang Gabi"
Day Two - "Puto Bumbong"
Day Three - "Christmas Tree and Lights"
Day Four - "Parol"
Day Five - "Carol"
Day Six - "Regalo at Aguinaldo"
Day Seven - "Santa Claus"
Day Eight - "Belen"
Day Nine - "Noche Buena"