Have you ever noticed the Christmas decorations in a neighbors’ lawn? Santa rides cheerfully across some lawns in his sleigh while other yards bring the traditional nativity scene to life. Everyone looks at this holiday season differently.

The spirit of Christmas goes on every year to all young and old. Many do not believe in Santa but more on why we have Christmas, to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

“I think Christmas is a great time to be more giving to the ones who are under appreciated,” Justin Bridges, ’08, said. “Giving them gifts shows a caring spirit.”

As growing children, we draw closer to God and become more like him. We were created in his image and shall always be his children.

“I think we have a tendency to focus on our own desires for gifts,” Kelsey Penner, ’08, said. “It takes the focus off of Jesus’ birth and what that means to us as Christians: the coming of our salvation.”

As children advance in years, they discover the truth of Santa.

“Santa to a child gives them something to believe in and helps their innocence,” Kelsey Boogusch, ’06, said. “But as Christians God is not just something we believe in. God is our way of life in every aspect.”

Children around the world look for someone to look up to. Some look to Santa and his present giving ride in the night. But Christians believe in another person: “For God so loved the earth he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“The hardest part of the Christmas season is to remember the gift of life the Lord has given us,” Boogusch said. “When we are surrounded by material possessions that look pleasing to us.”

Santa is a childhood hero to some, he dedicates his life to pleasing children; but to Christians, Christmas is much more. It is the coming of our Lord, who was sent to die for our sins and to give us the opportunity to be reunited with God.

For a related article, read Jennifer Roses’ The Spirit of Christmas.