Destress the Damsel

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He’s making a list
He’s checking it twice
He’s gonna find out
Who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows when you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

– Excerpt from traditional Christmas song, “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” (1934)

I know I’m not the only one who finds this song’s omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent portrayal of Santa to sound an awful lot like the Lord. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” warns children to behave so that they’ll make it on to the “nice list” – a surefire way to get the goods from the big guy in red. Of course, we who are in Christ are far more interested in making God’s nice list, A.K.A. the Book of Life, but I digress. What has always stuck out to me in this jolly Christmas song, is the iconic line: “be good for goodness sake”. What a simple, yet profound concept – doing what is right simply because it is right – a novel idea! It is with this thought (and a happy little excuse for a festive theme) that this article comes before you today.

What is the basis for your treatment of others: their goodness to you, or your goodness to them? Is it your practice to treat others how they treat you, or how you want to be treated? Is it your practice to be good to others only when you feel good towards them, or to always “be good for goodness sake”?

Today, I want to share two reasons why you should be good for goodness sake. #1…

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. – Luke 6:32-34

Among the Lord’s “naughty list” are those who are good for bad reasons. Instead of being steadily and faithfully “good for goodness sake”, these folks have a shallow sense of goodness that comes and goes. They love, but only those who love them. They do good, but only to those who do good to them. They give, but only to those who give to them. Indeed, at the end of the day, it’s all about them.

Are you a Naughty-Lister?

As Jesus pointed out in our above passage, it’s not all that extraordinary to show a loving, good, and giving spirit to those who return the favor…that comes naturally to everyone. No, what sets Christians apart is not how we treat the loving, the good, and the giving…but how we treat the hateful, the bad, and the greedy. To be “good for goodness sake” is not treating others well because they are good, but because we are. (And because we serve a good God.)

Our Lord wants you to be good for goodness sake, and He’s gonna find out who’s naughty! #2…

But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. – Luke 6:35-36

Among the Lord’s “nice list” are those who are good for good reasons. Instead of having a shallow sense of goodness that comes and goes, these folks are steadily and faithfully “good for goodness sake”. They love, even those who hate them. They do good, even to those who are bad to them. They give, even to those who take from them. Why? Because Nice-Listers know it’s all about Him.

Are you a Nice-Lister?

True inner virtue is evident when the people or circumstances around us are less than ideal, but we choose to be good anyway. Whether it’s a husband, a child, a waitress, or anyone else that has upset you (ranging anywhere from a minor mistake to an evil intent), your character speaks volumes to God when you can lay aside anger and bitterness and choose the high road instead. When circumstances feel chaotic and out of control, when you can’t do anything to change the people around you…don’t forget that you do have the power to control and change yourself. God sees how they are treating you, and God sees how you are treating them. Remain steadfast in your good nature, and the reward is great.

Our Lord wants you to be good for goodness sake, and He’s gonna find out who’s nice!

In conclusion…

Take an attitude check: are you on the Lord’s naughty or nice list?

“He sees you when you’re sleeping, He knows when you’re awake, He knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.” Long before these words were written, the Psalmist said of God,

He who planted the ear, does He not hear? Or He who formed the eye, does He not see? – Psalm 94:9

Santa Claus is certainly a wholesome and fun make-believe fellow, but he is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. The King of Kings is, and He’s gonna find out who’s naughty and nice. Tempting as it may be, don’t allow others’ treatment of you to be the basis of how you treat them. Christians have thick skins and stiff upper lips. We do what is right simply because it is right; we roll with the punches, knowing God will sort out the rest. (Keep in mind that being good to those who are bad to us does not mean condoning their behavior…it simply means that we refuse to stoop and participate in it ourselves. Two wrongs will not make a right.)

Focus on being good for goodness sake, and you’ll make the “nice list” for sure…this Christmas, and all year long.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good… Luke 6:45a

For God’s glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

Chaste Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.