“Ho! Ho! Ho!”

“Look behind you, boys. It’s Santa Claus!”

With horror, my two boys realized that the photo shoot had taken an unprecedented turn. They both wheeled around on the bench to see a stranger in a red suit hiding behind a decorated Christmas tree. They burst into tears. Caden knocked Connor sideways as he bolted. I lunged to catch Connor while Caden flew out of the room. The photographer snapped a few pictures in the chaos and then said, “Well, I guess we are done.”

I thought to myself, “Oh, no, we’re not.” I didn’t go through the chaos of getting these two boys washed, dressed, and calmed down enough to come to the studio and not get a picture with the big guy. So I rounded the two up and told them Santa deserved a little respect and we were sitting on his knee whether they liked it or not. A classic picture now sits in my home of all of them crying — including Santa.

You better not pout. You better not cry. Santa Claus is coming to town. He’s making a list and checking it twice. He’s going to find out who’s naughty and nice. Seriously? Then why are all these wild kids getting toys? I know your kids are perfect, but what about the deacon’s kids and your next-door neighbor’s bundles of joy? Santa’s bar must be pretty low!

The reality is that every kid is expecting their name to be on the list. Deep down, they do not believe they have been that naughty this year. When Santa bounces them on his knee, he confirms their perception of themselves. In reality, no one is really getting themselves ready for Santa’s coming. They are living their lives however they want, expecting the big man to give them stuff.

Sound familiar? One of the major roadblocks we face in the Bible Belt is working with people who do not believe they have done anything naughty enough to deserve hell. They may “believe in God,” but it is factually based belief, not a faith-based belief. They have not given up control of their life to Jesus through obedience, and they live however they want. They may be able to give you the Sunday school answer (“Jesus died on a cross for my sins”) but cannot tell you how Jesus has changed their life. Someone who is drowning must first realize he is drowning before a life preserver makes any sense.

People need a prophet who will love them and speak truth to them. They need someone who will ask them the tough questions about their sin and their future. You cannot wait on them to come to church with you. You must be the church to them. Have a Christmas party in your home and tell them why you celebrate. Remember: They are more apt to listen if you have been obedient to Jesus by serving and loving them throughout the year. Don’t delay! Someone much better than Santa is coming to town.

— If you struggle with sharing Jesus with someone close to you, consider reading “Close Encounters” by Lee Clamp, available at BaptistCourier.com/publishing. Clamp is evangelism group director for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Follow him at leeclamp.com and on Twitter: @leeclamp.