About this time of year, we hear the popular songs of Christmas played in every store— Christmas music of all kinds. Why so early? We hear people ask employees who know the obvious answer—so people will begin to purchase for others what they cannot afford, encouraged to put items on the store’s credit card that will take months to pay which earns interest payments for the store; All so consumers (us) work hard please loved ones and/or friends we want to impress. There, it now all out in the open in case you missed it. 😉 Okay, so employees don’t respond that way, but are thinking it as they say, “because it’s nice.”
I know because I spent time working for retail as I worked my way through college in those lean years. So, it’s not lost on me that employees were stocking the Christmas shelves as soon as the orange and black of Halloween was cleared away. Thanksgiving items only got one or two shelves of turkey napkins; but Christmas was all over the store in various ways to entice buying! Pressure to purchase early so the stock doesn’t run out is not only a myth but a marketing tool to raise the bottom line of profits to be in the “black”(profit) instead of in the “red”(loss). This is why “black Friday” sales are beginning well before Christmas—to increase profits before the end of the year! ICYMI. There it is. I’m not bitter; just truthful. I enjoy the kindness that Christmas brings out in most people.
One of the prevalent songs played during this time is Santa’s Clause is Coming to Town” to scare kids into submission. 😊 After hearing this song about it bajillion times while working retail; we realize it is a guilt laden song of fear. Randy and I never taught Santa as the one our children should please to get more gifts at Christmas. We knew as young parents that advice was extremely worldly; but it is surprising how many parents, grown adults, still use Santa as the one to please or life will not go well for us. Here are some of the lyrics in case you haven’t been listening to the words and only the catchy music;
“You better watch out, you better not cry, Better not pout, I’m telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list, and checking it twice; He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!
You better watch out! You better not cry You better not pout, I’m telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town!” …How creepy!
On the other hand, God looks over us because He loves us with a love that never quits and never gives up on us, whether “good or bad”. God does not miss a thing in our lives and is always there to pick us up when we fall. God is not a Person who seeks to condemn or produce guilt. God is the One and Only who offers Perfect Love and Care with Compassion that is not of this world. We do not earn God’s gifts by being “good” enough, not “pouting”, or ceasing to “cry” over life’s difficulties. We also do not deserve all that God wants to give to us—mainly forgiveness and eternal life! No one can boast about being good enough to receive God’s gifts of forgiveness through Jesus’ work on the cross, a peace that the world cannot give, all because of His deep, unchanging, compassionate, relentless love for us! What God is looking for are people to bless with His strength and power!
“For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, NKJV).
This means God’s eyes look over all the earth, actively and attentively observing human lives rather than remaining distant. God was, is and always will be God. God never changes in His character of love and compassion for His created. God will be the same today as He was yesterday—a Loving Father in search of His people who love Him back.
God also searches the earth to strengthen, support, and show His power on behalf of people. It is His desire that no one perish so God gives His Divine help to those whose hearts are wholly devoted, loyal, and committed to Him (rather than relying purely on human strength or political alliances, as King Asa failed to do in the surrounding biblical story. Read the whole story!).
God, unlike St Nick, doesn’t miss a thing! Because God is God! There is no one like our God. His love is amazing and unchanging. His love is forever. Whether we are faithful to Him or not, God is always faithful. His mercy and grace are there for those who ask. All because of His Son coming to save us and set us free for sin and the guilt that tries to keep us in bondage.
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! Because He lives, All fear(guilt) is gone.
Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!”
Our proverb of the day stresses that God sees everything. Not even the grave, the dark world, is inaccessible to God. That is why worship must never be divorced from our day-to-day actions. Those whose hearts are not right with God gain nothing by offering sacrifices of time and talents to appear good. God sees our hearts. Give thanks to God with a grateful heart for this is one of ways to walk humbly with our God who sees us.
Proverbs 15, The Message
A gentle response defuses anger,
but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
2 Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise;
fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
3 God doesn’t miss a thing—
he’s alert to good and evil alike.
4 Kind words heal and help;
cutting words wound and maim.
5 Moral dropouts won’t listen to their elders;
welcoming correction is a mark of good sense.
6 The lives of God-loyal people flourish;
a misspent life is soon bankrupt.
7 Perceptive words spread knowledge;
fools are hollow—there’s nothing to them.
8 God can’t stand pious poses,
but he delights in genuine prayers.
9 A life frittered away disgusts God;
he loves those who run straight for the finish line.
10 It’s a school of hard knocks for those who leave God’s path,
a dead-end street for those who hate God’s rules.
11 Even hell holds no secrets from God—
do you think he can’t read human hearts?
Life Ascends to the Heights
12 Know-it-alls don’t like being told what to do;
they avoid the company of wise men and women.
13 A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
14 An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth;
fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies.
15 A miserable heart means a miserable life;
a cheerful heart fills the day with song.
16 A simple life in the Fear-of-God
is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.
17 Better a bread crust shared in love
than a slab of prime rib served in hate.
18 Hot tempers start fights;
a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
19 The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers;
the diligent walk down a smooth road.
20 Intelligent children make their parents proud;
lazy students embarrass their parents.
21 The empty-headed treat life as a plaything;
the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it.
22 Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail;
take good counsel and watch them succeed.
23 Congenial conversation—what a pleasure!
The right word at the right time—beautiful!
24 Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful—
it’s a clean about-face from descent into hell.
25 God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant;
he stands with those who have no standing.
26 God can’t stand evil scheming,
but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.
27 A greedy and grasping person destroys community;
those who refuse to exploit live and let live.
28 Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people;
the wicked are sewers of abuse.
29 God keeps his distance from the wicked;
he closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.
30 A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart,
and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.
31 Listen to good advice if you want to live well,
an honored guest among wise men and women.
32 An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny;
an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.
33 Fear-of-God is a school in skilled living—
first you learn humility, then you experience glory.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Our proverb of the day teaches us contentment. While material wealth is considered a good thing, especially when given as a gift from God as a blessing for us to manage wisely from the One who owns everything! But even then, our material wealth is not the most important thing by far.
Taken together, these verses redefine what is to be considered healthy for our souls; namely, a cheerful heart. Cheerful hearts come from hearts of contentment and peace—a peace not of this imperfect world—but the perfect peace of God—promised to us by Jesus. “May the peace of Christ rule your hearts”, writes Paul later, to the church then, (Colossians 3:15) and applicable now as we approach the “buying season”. Eugene Peterson “fleshes out” this verse’s meaning—
“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” Colossians 3:15-16, MSG
Our proverb of the day finishes with a flourish! We learn how valuable it is to have a teachable spirit. Ask God for wisdom, who gives without finding fault! (James 1:5) Then respond with receptivity to God’s wisdom with a teachable spirit that will distinguish the wise from the fool. Those who are wise are not self-protecting and defensive; they listen to counsel and seek to act wisely. The result is an enriched life that no amount of Christmas presents, “from Santa” can fulfill. Enough said.
Lord,
You do not miss a thing as you teach us your skills for living and walking humbly with you. All wisdom truly begins and ends with you. Thank you for convicting and correcting instead of condemning us with guilt. Thank you for your forgiveness with your guidance to live a new, enriched, healthy life of Truth! Cleanse our hearts, remove all that does not belong and is not of you. Renew our minds, refresh our souls. Continually restore the joy and peace of you in us and us in you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
In Jesus Name, Amen
