The only people who would entertain such a question are those who are serious about their faith relationship with Jesus Christ. To the average man or woman on the street, it’s a silly question.

As a kid growing up in Kentucky, it was all about family and Santa. I knew it was also about Jesus, but didn’t really understand or care that much. I wasn’t a believer and my family was not religious.

Everything changed when I committed my life to Jesus as a teenager. Family and Santa were still a big part of Christmas for me, but now so was Jesus.

Jesus said His followers must love Him above everyone and everything else. Easier said than done!

Too many people make the test of love about silly things. So they argue about Christians having Christmas trees and allowing their kids to use their imaginations to believe in Santa. I think they miss the point of what Jesus was teaching.

Loving Him more means He becomes the center of my universe and shapes every aspect of my life. It means His values become my values and the way He treated people is to be the way I treat them.

Family is still a part of my Christmas celebration. But it’s not the biggest part. My son and his wife will be in New York with her family this Christmas. If Christmas is just about family, then mine will be lacking.

Santa and presents are still a part of my Christmas celebration. But now that means a few decorations on a tree, watching some cartoons about Santa, and seeing my nearly two year old grandson get excited by all of it.

Jesus! Now He is my joy. He makes my life, not just my Christmas, special. I will worship Him at church with my Christian family this Christmas and I will worship in some private moments at home as well.

What will you be doing this Christmas?

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Steve Hogg