God is not our Santa (1)

Santa asks whether we've been naughty or nice...God already knows the answer to that question yet He doesn't decide whether to give gifts or not based on our behaviour.

This is counter-intuitive. We are used to thinking we deserve love, gifts and good things in life because of what we've done--because of us. Isn't that how most parents motivate their children to behave well?

We like the idea of being good in order to get something; this gives us a sense of control. If we do well, we can be proud of ourselves. But if we fail? Then we don't feel good about ourselves...this can be punishing.

God is forgiving--Santa isn't. Yes, God wants us to be good too, but even as we constantly fall short, His love toward us doesn't change. (Romans 5:8; Romans 8:38-29; John 3:16)