Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
I love Christmas. The traditions and memories made are some of the brightest reflections of my whole life, but–let’s admit it–the fast pace of family gatherings, caroling, shopping, and general celebratory chaos can wear a guy down. That’s why I also love funny Christmas movies. They remind me of the source of our seasonal joy while allowing me to escape briefly with a laugh or two. One classic that stands out for me is The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. If you haven’t seen it (and even if you have), here’s a quick refresher: Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a regular guy who accidentally becomes Santa Claus after a slight “mishap” that involves an icy roof and certain famous red suit. It sounds fun at first, but Scott spends much of the movie fighting this new identity, trying to hold onto his “normal” life even as his beard grows, his belly expands, and children mysteriously start lining up outside his house to tell him what they want for Christmas.
THE OLD IS GONE
What’s funny about the movie is how Scott changes—both physically and mentally. No matter how hard he resists, everything about him is becoming Santa Claus. It’s only when he surrenders to this transformation, embracing his role as Santa, that he begins to experience peace and real joy.
This storyline has more in common with our walk as believers than you might think. Just as Scott Calvin struggles to accept his new identity, we often wrestle with the fact that, in Christ, we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old has gone, the new has come! Yet how often do we cling to our “old selves,” fighting the changes God is cultivating in us?
This internal struggle isn’t just about the conversion experience of salvation—it’s about embracing the ongoing process of sanctification, the day-by-day transformation that comes from walking with Christ. Like Scott couldn’t go back to his old life after becoming Santa, we can’t truly live in the fullness of Christ and know the purpose for which we were created—and recreated—if we keep trying to fit into our old patterns. Scripture reminds us we were “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29, NIV), meaning we are continually being shaped and refined to reflect Christ more and more.
WORTHY OF OUR NEW IDENTITY
The journey of transformation isn’t easy. There will be times when, like Scott, we resist. Maybe it feels more comfortable to live in our old habits, or maybe we don’t feel worthy of the new identity God has given us. But here’s the beautiful truth: it’s not up to us to make ourselves new. God has already done the work through Christ. Our job is to surrender—to allow him to continue shaping us, even when the process is uncomfortable or unexpected.
Scott Calvin finally found peace when he accepted his role as Santa, and we, too, will find our deepest joy and purpose when we stop resisting and start embracing who God calls us to be.
Reflect: In what areas of your life are you resisting God’s transformation?
