The War on Christmas and St. Nicolas of Myra

I'm trying to make sure I get a post up here every about every two weeks. I remember the words of the wise Dr. Siburt at the beginning of my class this semester, he said "Ministers don't last very long when they spend more time on their blogs than with their people." Now I have two to keep up with, one that only ACU students can see, sorry non-ACU students! Nevertheless here's another Christmas observation.

Every year around this time of year, I begin to hear all of the cries about what has been dubbed as the "War on Christmas." I've always been puzzled by this idea. I've heard the stories about nativity scenes not being allowed on government property, and not being able to say Merry Christmas. I don't particularly care for nativity scenes, but if they should be anywhere it's in front of churches. I'm all for separation of church and state, and looking at history confirms that for me. To my knowledge it's not illegal to say Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays is fine with me. In some ways, it is more Christian in its inclusion and respect of others and their beliefs. Also, when the first Pilgrims came here they banned Christmas, it wasn't till later we got it back (Pesky Puritans).

I do want to point out something that is unsettling to I've noticed this holiday season. And it's in this commercial.

When we were younger Santa was the one who gave good things to the kids who were good, and bad things to the kids who were bad. He was always watching so you had that pressure on you the whole year (who am I kidding, no kid really thought about that until late November). Plus he stuck down your chimney at night, which was a little weird. But in essence, Santa is comparison to God. And the statement I see in this commercial is "We don't need you Santa, we're advanced consumers who can take care of and bless ourselves, how bout the dog?"

This unsettles me. I see it all the time in this society that is becoming increasingly consumeristic. We don't need help, we can solve our problems with money or our own ingenuity. In essence, there is becoming less room for God. I thought about this when I was teaching my 4th grade boys about the rich young ruler and how it is hard for the rich to get into heaven. They don't need God when they can take care of things themselves.

I'll end with the story of the original St. Nicolas. He was born in Turkey and committed his life to the church at an early age and was the Bishop of Myra. He sold all of his family's wealth and gave it to the poor. When good Old St. Nicholas heard about three girls that were to be sold into slavery by their father he went and threw three bags of gold from the church's treasury into their house. Supposedly, they land in stockings by the fire, which is how we get stockings by the fire on Christmas. And that's the St. Nick I want. That's the St. Nick that everyone should want. And that's the God I want. The God who pays people's ransoms from slavery no matter the cost. The God who empties out His storehouses for His people. And is so committed to paying their ransom that He sends His Son and is willing to put Him on a cross to buy our freedom. Because we need His gifts, most of all the gift of Jesus. That's what we remember on Christmas.

An Advent Post

In light of the holiday season, I thought I would make a holiday post or two. I found this interesting and funny video depicting the Christmas Story. Now don't get me wrong, dressing kids up as the characters of the biblical story is weird to me, but this one had cool accents and a creative touch.

In recent years, I've begun to observe the season of Advent. I like Advent for two reasons. First, Advent is the season of a world pregnant with hope, and that hope we call Christ will soon arrive. Second of all, Advent focuses not on gift giving, but God's giving of His greatest gift, Jesus.

Something I have been doing in the past few years is not asking for hardly any presents, but instead asking that people give money to charities I like, this year it will be to a couple of different places like my beloved Impact. It's a part of an effort to restore the meaning back into Christmas by a group called the Advent Conspiracy. They seek to focus more on the celebrating the coming of Christ into the world with family and friends, and finding the joy in giving rather than receiving. Maybe you'd like to join in on the conspiracy. Here's their promo video for the year.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!