.png)
When my daughter, Faith, was little – like 3 years old – we took her with us to the mall during Christmas time. We had never said anything about Santa Claus, she hadn't ever noticed him. This time, however, we came across a long line of kids who were waiting to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Faith's eyes were wide open. She had rushed ahead a little bit.
"Mom and Dad," she was yelling, "there's a funny old man here." Parents stared at her and then stared at us!
We tried to explain about Santa without sounding religious and weird. I don't know if she got it – she believed that Santa helped to bring presents from Jesus. I must admit that since the day I was Spirit-filled I was very irritated by Santa and thought he was really almost "demonic" – a fake and an impostor. I was very indignant about the whole thing.
I had gotten over the Christmas tree thing when I realized no one was worshiping trees, just making nice decorations and making their houses look festive. I also realized that Jesus wasn't actually born on the 25th of December, but then I realized God is interested in the hearts more than the dates. God's people were honoring Jesus and in that sense it's Christmas every day anyway.
The Mall Santa
Back to Santa: Christians call him "Santa" after St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a Bishop in Lycia, Turkey. He was known for his great intercession and the many miracles that resulted. He was also known as a secret gift giver. He would put coins in people's shoes at night as well as bring gifts.
I was still having a problem about it and was ministering in a church in Colorado years ago and having a great time. In the church was an elder; they called him the older elder. He was very sweet and kind – kinda twinkly, if you know what I mean. His eyes twinkled. "He's a strong and powerful intercessor," the pastor told me.
Well, we went out to lunch on a cold November day. The older elder came along and I happened to sit next to him. We chatted and got to talking about Christmas. "I love Christmas time," he said. I expected him to tell me he was going to be with his family. He didn't! Instead he said, "I am the Mall Santa." I was taken aback.
"What?" I thought. "This nice, spiritual man is an evil Santa?"
Thank God he was oblivious to my shock. He carried on chatting, all lit up like a Christmas tree. "I love it. It's one of the best and wonderful ministries I've ever done," he said.
"Oh," was all I could manage. I was still a bit mind-boggled.
"I love to give and I get to give presents, but better than that, every time a child sits on my lap I pray for them. I get to pray for all the kids in town. I can put my hand on their arm or hold their hand and my hands are anointed. So I pray and bless them and pray they will come to know Jesus."
"Sometimes I get to pray for them if they have a cold or something." The more he talked the more he twinkled and his eyes sparkled.
All I could think was,"Thank God he didn't know I thought Santas were evil."
I couldn't wait to get back to the hotel to repent. I thought about how religious I was and making judgments because of a mindset.
God Is Interested in the Heart
Someone wrote me and scolded me about Christmas trees. I love Christmas trees. I left one up for year a few years ago until my husband took it down while I was away. I don't worship trees, though, I worship Jesus! I just think they are pretty and festive.
I had a friend, Annie, come from the UK to spend Christmas with us one year. She was a powerful prophetess and intercessor. But she was very upset with me. I had about 4 Christmas trees and presents everywhere. We love Christmas at our house. We love Jesus and celebrate Him on Christmas. People were bringing presents to my house for Annie – even that upset her.
Annie started making a big fuss about it all.
I told her we love this season and nothing is going to change. I told her if she doesn't want to be a part she could stay in her room and watch movies (or pray for us).
As she became more and more upset, I sat her down and said I was going to pray for her as the whole thing was escalating. While I prayed, the Lord gave me some words of knowledge. It turned out that when she was a child in Ireland her parents were heavy drinkers. Every Christmas day they would drink themselves silly and end up throwing knives at each other and scream at each other.
The kids would end up outside in the yard hiding in the bushes. I prayed for her and when she got healed and delivered, guess what? She had a wonderful Christmas. She went and bought presents for everyone in sight. God told me to buy her a beautiful white dress – it was strange because she NEVER wore dresses. But a few months later she got married and that white dress was her wedding dress.
I am not telling you what to believe, but remember that God is interested in the heart. You can do the right thing for the wrong reason and you can do the wrong thing for the right reason.
If you don't want to have "Christmas" at your house that's fine, just don't judge people that do. But whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus and be blessed and be a blesser because that's God's heart.
Kathie Walters
Good News Ministries
Email: kathiewalters@mindspring.com
Website: www.kathiewaltersministry.com
-----------------------------------------