AWOL Santa

Sinterklaas didn’t show up this year and we were disappointed. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we traveled to Pella to visit family. Its been a tradition in Pella that on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, there is a small parade where Sinterklaas, the Netherlands’ version of Santa Claus rides down Franklin St. in a big boat (with wheels) and passes in front of the Tulip Tower. Traveling with him are some folks dressed up as gifts—box costumes with ribbons. Trailing behind is the newly selected Tulip Queen and her court—making one of their first official appearances since their selection.

Sound a little cheesy? Yes, it is. However, it has always given us an excuse to go up town and grab a coffee or head to one of the local bakeries for some Dutch Letters, macaroons, or my daughters’ preference, “Cookies with LOTS of frosting.”

This year we showed up, waiting for Town Crier to announce the coming of Sinterklaas. There were quite a few others milling around the town square waiting as well. Soon, we hear the buzz that there wasn’t going to be a parade. There was a rumor that there wasn’t enough interest, or that those normally in the parade had other obligations.

So, there we stood, pastries in hand, waiting for a parade that wasn’t going to happen. We shrugged our shoulders, expressed a little disappointment, and then we went home. Sinterklaas was soon forgotten.

Over this Christmas season we will drive past houses covered with flashing, blinking, lights, some even choreographed to music. (Pretty clever.) Our children may be dressed up like shepherds or wise men. We will arrange miniature nativity scenes on our mantles. We will put up trees, buy gifts, and make Christmas themed treats. We do all this to celebrate a birth that happened over 2000 years ago.

In the minds of some, this is simply silly. To be honest, a lot of it maybe is. There has long been the complaint that Christmas is too commercialized and that we forget the “Reason for the Season.”

Yet, amidst all the decoration and flash, most Christians acknowledge that they have hope that Jesus will make His appearance again. Christmas may mark Jesus earthly birth years ago, but it should also point ahead to the time He comes again.

I encourage you to celebrate, decorate, and enjoy the holiday, but somewhere between the tinsel and bows, the Christmas meal and treats take a minute and reflect on Jesus’ impending coming. If another holiday passes and Christ has not yet come again, may we be a little disappointed, but may we never forget that He is coming again. May that hope change us. Decorations will be packed away. Lights will come down, but may we never lose our desire to see the King. May we say, “Maranatha,” “Come, O Lord. Come soon.”