Our Advent Series comes from a plan provided by Church of the Valley on The YouVersion Bible App. For more information, please visit: https://ccv.church.
Day Eighteen: Santa Claus
A long time ago in a small town there was a boy named Nicholas; he loved God and loved giving to others. He grew up in a wealthy family and even at a young age he loved giving to those in need. When Nicholas grew up he became a bishop in the church, and when he had received his inheritance from his family, he began giving away his wealth. The best-known tale of Nicholas involved three young sisters who couldn’t pay for their weddings. Nicholas wanted to help, so he climbed up onto the roof of their house and threw gold coins down the chimney. The coins landed in the girls’ stockings which were hanging over the fire to dry. Years later the good bishop was declared Saint Nicholas and today he is known as Santa Clause.
Read 2 Corinthians 9:7.
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Nicholas’s heart for giving to others came from a genuine love for God
Read Matthew 25:35-40.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Takeaway: Think about some ways that Santa Claus reminds you of God.
