I’m not sure why, but we lie to our children about Christmas in the United States. It seems like an innocent and delightful lie, but in reality it puts kids through a lot of unnecessary hardship and eventual heartbreak.

We tell them the lie that Santa Claus exists.

This means, as a child, I have to make a list of what I might like Santa to bring me, formulate a letter enclosing my list, and then figure out how to get it mailed when I don’t have his address, money to buy stamps, or the wherewithal to make a trip to the post office.

Maybe instead I have the opportunity to see him in person, but Mom groans at the idea of a trip to the mall where there is a long line. And when I finally get to Santa’s lap, he seems a bit tired and smelling of onions. Will he remember? He didn’t even write down my request.

On top of that, I stay up nights sweating over every bad thing I may or may not have done that day. I wonder if Santa saw. And I hope he saw that I ate all my vegetables without being asked. Where am I on that naughty and nice list?

And then on Christmas night I’m supposed to put out cookies and milk. I don’t know what kind of cookies Santa likes. We only have a few Oreos. And won’t the milk be sour by the time he arrives? Will he turn around and leave without giving me anything if that happens?

Such a burden due to an innocent and delightful lie.

Eventually, every child finds out the truth. It is surprising and possibly humiliating if I’m the last to know the truth among my friends.

But at the same time, the Santa burden has finally ended. No more lists or cookies or mall lines. No more stressing over what Santa did or didn’t see.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Jesus was not taking about Santa in this verse, of course. He was taking about sin. The truth about sin.

We are told that when we do bad things, we should feel ashamed. In fact, one bad choice can label me forever. I become my sin. If I steal, I am a thief. If I lie, I am an untrustworthy liar. If I have the wrong sex at the wrong time with the wrong person, I am a hussy. A strumpet. A floozy. A harlot. A slut. (Why are there so many words for women in this position and none for men?)

The point is, society boxes me in with my sin so that it is very hard to get out. I start believing the lie that I’m no good. I believe my friend’s parents who say I’m a bad influence. And I continue in my shame and my shameful behavior, because that’s who I am.

That’s the lie about sin.

The truth is I am not my sin. In fact, Jesus threw open the door and said, “Come on out of there, you beautiful child of God!”

Thanks to Jesus, that’s the only label I need to accept. I am beloved. I am washed clean. I am highly treasured. I am a child of God, precious in His sight. And that’s the truth.

Dear God,

Thank you for supplying complete forgiveness and freedom to everyone who calls on your name with sincerity and repentance. Thank you that I have a new identity in you — one of a child of God instead of a slave to shame and sin. Thank you for your glorious redeeming love!