A few years ago, Reader’s Digest published an article about stage actor Charles Edward Hall who went from playing the character of Ebenezer Scrooge to the character of Santa Claus. In the article Hall says: “I worked on my Scrooge. I scoffed. I raged. I felt fear when the ghosts came, and anger, and relief, and sadness, and regret.” That role was eventually written out of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, but the role of Santa remains. In that role Hall says, “I’ve been Santa for almost three decades and more than 4000 performances, and spending that much time as someone [in character] changes you. When you love a person, you can become that person and see the world the way he or she sees it.”
Christians, do you really love Jesus? Have you taken on His character? Can others see Christ-likeness when they see you? Speaking about his role Hall said, “I wish I could wear this Santa suit all the time. If I did, I could never be angry or mean. I’d be a better person every day.” Hall uses a key word in the title of his book, Santa Claus is for Real: A True Christmas Fable About the Magic of Believing – the operative word is “believing.”
As Christians, we must believe that since we are baptized into Christ, we are clothed with Christ. Colossians 3:6-10 reads: “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” [NIV]
Hall’s story draws a perfect analogy – let’s call Scrooge the “old man,” and Santa the “new man.” When we are born again; when we confess Christ [Romans 10: 9, 10] the old man dies, and we become new creatures [creations] in Christ. If we are so inclined to masquerade as some fabled character during Christmas, Halloween, and such, then why not daily get into true character in the new garment of the living Christ? What you’re wearing will show!
Larry Buford is a contributing writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” and “Book To The Future” (Amazon). Email: LBuford[email protected]
