Hello Santa Claus, Goodbye Jesus

Written by Johnny Israel

The Sunday before Christmas, I attended a nationally known denominational church whose history is embedded in charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. This particular denomination’s core belief is in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and baptism of tongues and fire. However, I was soon disappointed in the Christmas service. The pastor failed to mention Jesus, Christmas, or the birth of Christ one time in his message. The message’s central theme was on the building project and the money needed for said project. Not to mention that not even one scripture was even quoted during the service. It reminds me of Paul the Apostle to the Church: “When you should be on the meat of the Word, you are still on milk.”

There was no worship or inspirational prayer. There was no Christmas or festive decorations, or anything that assumed the Christmas spirit. Instead, the church invited Santa Claus as its honored guest. The sad part was that Santa received more recognition on Jesus’ birthday than the Son of God.

In these troubling times, the Church is in much need of a spiritual revival. The world is sitting in the valley of dry bones without the presence of God's Spirit. Never before in its history has the Church faced moral decline, spiritual vacuum, and political corruption as it has now. Whenever Santa Claus becomes the honored guest in God’s house, the Holy Spirit has no other recourse than find a new house to abide in. The Lord is searching for people to worship Him with all their heart and souls. Today’s Church has become nothing more than a ‘social club’ for the gathering of the saints. If the Church is going to survive these troubling times, it must return back to its first love, and give preeminence to the Lord Jesus Christ in worship, prayer, and assembly. Hello Santa Claus, Goodbye Jesus.