"Why's that? Do you not celebrate Christmas? Are you Jewish or Jehovah's Witness?" asked Santa.

"Oh. I celebrate it OK. In fact' it's my birthday. But yes, I am Jewish." Santa says, "That must be why I don't remember you. I guess we've never met."

Jesus replies, "Nick, we met long, long ago. In fact, you used to do all these good things because of me." "Because of you? How's that." "Well, this time of year celebrates my birth in Bethlehem.". "Bethlehem, that's in one of the songs I hear people sing this time of year." Says Santa. "Wait. Wait a minute. "O holy child of Bethlehem, how sweet we see thee lie. You're Jesus. The Son of God. It's all coming back. You're why we sing and give gifts. I am so sorry, but over the years, I've been swamped with toy requests that I forgot why I did all this."

"Hey, Jesus, can I work for you again?" "Of course you can, Nick." "Jesus, I have this list. I've checked it twice. Would you like it? It might make your job easier. You'd only have to deal with the good ones."

"No, Nick" says Jesus. "My life isn't about naughty or nice. In fact, I'm not here for the really good. I'm here for the naughty. I've come to forgive them." Santa said, "Most folks would rather get an Ipod, Jesus". "That may be true, but I've already given them their gift. In fact, I gave it to you as well."

"I must have forgotten to send you a thank you note. I don't remember unwrapping your gift." Says Santa.

"Nick, Santa, you don't unwrap my gift. I gave you eternal life. I gave you forgiveness of all your sins. I gave you peace. And I gave you a mission."

Santa says, "A mission?" "Yes, Nick. Your mission is to bring Joy to the broken-hearted. To spread the Good News that I am alive so that you can live with me forever. You used to know that."

"What, it's not about the presents? It's not about doing good things? It's about you, isn't it. I used to know that. I used to do that. " "Yeah, you did. That's how you got the name Saint Nicholas. Now, you work for the greeting card, toy and electronics companies."

"You want me to stop spreading goodwill and gifts?" "No, Santa, I don't want you to stop giving gifts. But with each gift, pray that it reminds the receiver that Christmas is about Jesus and that your gift is to celebrate my birthday."

"Jesus I'll never forget you again.. Happy birthday, Jesus."

"Thanks, Nick. Merry Christmas."

And so, off Santa drove saying "Ho, ho, ho, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Come let us adore him" Ho, ho, ho.

There's been a lot of attention this year on how we celebrate a Christian Christmas in a society that increasingly becomes secularized. The argument about whether to have nativity scenes on the city hall lawn has been going on for at least 30 years. I haven't been to a public school Christmas program since the late 70's.

There's been talk of "putting the Christ back in Christmas" for a long time. I think that may be a futile effort. Let's be honest, Christmas is a secular festival tinged with a historical root to Christianity. It is the secular festival of goodwill and gift giving.

Christmas trees, stockings, and all of these winter songs we sing here in the near tropics, have very little to do with Christ. This season is an economic holiday. For example, most big musical stars have recorded a Christmas album. How many Easter albums are there? (The fact that a Jewish Barbara Streisand has a Christmas album out seems to be the icon of the corporate x-mas).

So what do we do? Do we close our eyes and wallets to the secular Christmas? Yeah, try telling your 10 year old that you're not going to give presents any more. Call me and tell me how that goes.

No, the world needs goodwill and peace. The humanism inherent in stories like "A Christmas Carol" or "the Gift of the Magi" is good. We should do good things. Most charities rely on this time of year to fill their coffers each year. (The fact that it's almost year end may have something to do with that.)

But, we are here, this night, to celebrate another Christmas. We are here to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Lord and Savior. It's easy to forget that. I listened to a radio talk show where people were asked to call in with their favorite "holiday" tradition. I didn't hear one person mention church. I didn't hear one person talk about the Christ Child. It was all about food and presents.

We're here tonight to remember. To remember that there was a baby born in a feeding trough so that we would go to heaven when we die. And remembering is so important. We live in a troubled world in troubled times. Our young men and women are still in harm's way on a distant continent. Teenagers still die in car crashes. People are still depressed. Fanatics still blow themselves up.

Maybe it's easier to sing about a snowman and talk about a hope secured by the inherent goodness of people. The Charles Dickens version of Christmas. But, my friends, there is nothing in Scrooge's pocket or Santa Claus's bag that will bring peace and an end to terrorism.

That's why we're hear. Because we know, deep down in our very beings, that hope is not found in our inherent goodness, but in the absolute goodness of God's Son. That's right, that little baby nursing on Mary's breast is our hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for peace. Hope for an end to death and fear.

On this night, God took away the distance between men and women and himself. As Mary held her baby, she held in her arms God incarnate, God in human form. As Joseph gazed on the face of his step son, he was seeing the face of God. When the shepherds knelt by the feeding trough they worshiped God, living and true.

Let's not forget that. Let's not forget that Jesus, very God from Very God, has walked this earth. Hope, true hope, living among us.

That's why we are all here. We know that we need hope in order to go on in our lives. The world would tell us that we are destined to live in darkness. That war is inevitable. That hatred is a normal way of life.

But, the world is wrong. When this earth and all that is in it was created, it was made perfect. There were no wars, no death, no hatred until we exercised our free will and walked away from God and God's perfect image.

That little baby tells us that God has not given up on us. That we are important to God, so important that he would sacrifice his Son for us to return to him and receive the Kingdom of God.

Isaiah tells about a people walking in darkness, and with the coming of the child savior, they see a new light. We live in a dark time. But there is a glimmer of light. As we remember that we are here tonight because of a little baby, the light peeks through our tired and troubled souls.

As we thank God for the gift of his son, not under the Christmas tree, but in our hearts, that light breaks forth even more. And, as we go out like the shepherds and worship our King and tell others about the wonders of this night, the light starts to shine and spread.

Now that we've seen the baby Jesus, we become the light-bearers. We are the ones to spread the Christ light to those trapped in a dark and fearsome place. Jesus is born, not just in Bethlehem, but in our hearts. His love, mercy and forgiveness can fill our hearts to the overflow line. Spread that light. Let it beam through your smile, and your actions.

"Be not afraid, for lo I am bringing you Good News of great Joy for all people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." That is the message of light for all of us to share.

Let's not ever forget Jesus or the reason we gather on nights like this. The world celebrates the goodwill of women and men. We join in that celebration, but bring something unique celebration, for we celebrate the goodness of God in his son, Jesus Christ.

As we fly off to spread the good news of Christ, let us shout, "Ho, ho, ho, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Come let us adore him Ho, ho, ho."