I'M TELLIN' YOU WHY

(Part 2 in a 4-part series on popular Christmas songs)

You may not have heard of Haven Gillespie, but he became a millionaire thanks to one little song that you know well. 

 

In October of 1934, Gillespie (whose real name was James Lamont Gillespie) left his brother Irwin’s funeral and took the subway to Manhattan to meet with his publisher, Leo Feist. Known as a talented composer of children’s songs, Gillespie was commissioned to write a new Christmas tune for kids. Gillespie left the office, and while still on the train, jotted the lyrics for “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” on the back of an envelope. J. Fred Coots wrote the melody, and the song became the hit of Christmas 1934. Radio audiences went wild for the song and requests for sheet music were off the charts. In the 86 intervening years, the song has been recorded by countless artists.

 

Meanwhile, according to the nephew who wrote his biography, Gillespie himself never felt enthusiastic about the song or its success because it always reminded him of his brother’s death.

 

I can’t say I’ve found the song all that appealing myself. The lyrics caution us about a Santa Claus who not only watches our every move but keeps track—even when we’re asleep.

Creepy.

Parents use the song as a warning for kids to behave in the weeks leading to Christmas, lest they end up on Santa’s naughty list. I’m not sure what happens then, but it can’t be much fun. A lump of coal in your stocking, I suppose. It’s enough to make you cry, but according to the song, crying is one of the things you’d better not let Santa catch you doing!

 

For too many, this version of Santa is also their version of God. Not an attractive image. Watch out. Be nice. He’s keeping track. Your nice deeds better outnumber your naughty ones. No pouting. No crying. He sees all. Knows all. He’s gonna getcha. So be good, for goodness’ sake. 

 

Here’s the irony. If any of us were capable of being that good, we wouldn’t need Christmas in the first place. God wouldn’t have had to send his son to save us because we wouldn’t need saving. If it all depended on us, would God have gone to such great lengths to make a way for us? 

 

Psalm 103 promises us a tender and compassionate Father who has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Christmas made that possible.

 

Psalm 121 describes a God who will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. Who is always watching, never sleeping, protecting me day and night. But never in a disturbing way.

 

As for that crying business, Psalm 56:8 tells us of a God who keeps track of our sorrows, collects our tears in a bottle, and records each one in his book. Who will one day wipe away our tears with his own hand because there will be no more mourning or crying or death. (Revelation 21:4) 

Yes, I believe God sees me when I’m sleeping and knows when I’m awake. The beauty in that? He sees me.

And he sees you. The real you. The one that others miss. The one hiding behind masks, both literal and figurative. The one you fear will never be enough.

And guess what? He loves that real version of you.So this year, when you hear that playful song, tap your foot and sing along. Because whether Santa Claus comes to town or not, you know the truth about God. And you know the bottom line.

He sees you. Period.