I wonder if I should call this
”The effects of Santa Claus on the grace saturated, law starved Christians of America.”
recently I received an e-mail stating how a local Christian store would have Santa kneeling at the manger with baby Jesus!
This offends me, I posted this on facebook, and wow….got hammered by some fellow Christians, Thankfully however, received some support from great brothers and sisters in Christ. Now I am not claiming to be “holier than thou” by any means, but when our Lord saved me, I put Him first. My daughter was born, and my wife & I was pressured to let her believe in Santa.. so when she was 2 or 3… old enough to believe this lie. We told her the truth, Christmas is about Jesus Christ, not Santa Claus. Santa is a fictional Character based on a guy who did something good back in the day, who would probably be appalled that his likeness was now trumping Christ in the Holiday festivities.
So why so angry? After all “Santa” will tell the real meaning of Christmas right? first in this day and age of the modern Gospel we have to worry about what story santa is telling, but also it’s still santa. It’s a lie at minimum. Santa even being at the manger to tell the story promotes the idea of santa in a childs life. Christmas is about Christ… hence the name. It’s not Santamas..
As a Christian we should abolish the idea of Santa, and maintain the idea of a Christ only Christmas. If we let Santa come into the picture, how it demeans what God did for us, and why we even celebrate the day? If we celebrate because Santa is doing good things, then it’s a 100% selfish holiday. You give because you’re being given to.. However if we look at what God did for us, how He sent His ONLY son, to be a sacrifice for us, then Christmas goes from a day of selfishness, to selfless-ness. When I grew up, I had NO CLUE what Christmas was about, as it is now, we bake a cake for Christ, Although I am certain it’s not the day He was really born, we sing happy Birthday, and release a happy Birthday Balloon into the sky. Cheesy? Probably, but I would rather be looked at as a weirdo, than allow Satan… I mean Santa into my home for one minute. If we’re not always focused on Him, how can we say we love Him?
if this was your wife’s birthday, or husband’s. Would you allow your kids to sing happy Birthday to the Pillsbury doughboy? would you allow your kids to celebrate that birthday to the image of Will Smith, the Easter Bunny, or any one other than you’re spouse?? absolutely not. Yet by allowing Satan… er.. uh.. Santa into your home that’s exactly what you’re doing to Christ, the very one who saves you from eternal damnation.
I encourage everyone reading this to examine themselves, we’re commanded in the Bible to do it. We’re from all walks of life, all faiths, denominations, and beliefs.
Do you, Like Joyce Meyer claim to be sinless? Yet 1 John 1:8 disagrees 8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”
Or perhaps you, like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and so many others, believe that our words have “creative power” or that we somehow give God permission to act in our lives, perhaps Like Creflow Dollar you think we’re “little Gods” ladies and Gentleman, Jesus didn’t die on the cross so you could have new car, Jesus actually told those following him JUST for bread to leave.. remember? Here’s the truth…
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, born of a virgin to be sin for us.
What’s sin? Sin is the transgression of God’s law. His Law is the 10
commandments.. You have to ask yourself.. Have you ever lied? if so
your seen by God as a Liar. have you every hated? then you’re seen in
God’s eyes as a Murderer (Mtthw 5:21-22) have you ever Looked with
Lust? Then you’re seen by God as an adulterer (Mtthw 5:27-28) and
thats only 3 of the 10 commandments! We should know that if we’re
guilty of one, we’re guilty of them all!!
But God is not willing that ANY should perish, He sent His Son, Jesus
to die on the cross for our sins, as payment for our transgressions. Jesus was raised back to life, conquering death and the grave, forever defeating the sting of death. Now, We can’t earn our way to heaven, all our works are filthy rags before the Lord. We can’t buy our way there, for who has more than the God who created everything. It’s a free gift, so that NO MAN can boast.
How do you get there? by a prayer? Someone praying for you? ONLY THROUGH repentance and faith. Repent means to turn from your sin, stop the habitual sin thats in your life.. put your faith in Christ.. He doesn’t need your acceptance, He’s GOD! you can’t just “know” Him, I can know the president, but unless he knows me I am not getting anywhere near the Whitehouse. Cry out to God, BEG for His grace and Mercy, study the Bible learn God’s word! Put your faith, total trust in Him.. THATS THE ONLY WAY. Repentance and Faith. Saying a prayer doesn’t guarantee your salvation, I do believe a prayer, with the right attitude and heart
behind it will brings God’s grace and mercy, however I do not believe
that “the sinners prayer” as repeated after the evangelist works. If I
cheated on my wife, how sincere am I if my pastor leads me in an apology to her? Cry out to God, BEG HIS forgiveness.. and put your trust in Him, and only Him. Read the Word, Find a Good BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH, and fellowship! Also Share your faith!
I’d be happy to talk with anyone interested (E-mail me here)
I think we should never lie to our kids, about anything. To tell them that there is a Santa Claus is simply lying. We tell them about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the tooth Fairy, at a certain point they will know that it was just a myth, well what will they think about what we are telling them about God and Jesus. The will not know what to believe. Not to mention the whole reason for Christmas, not that Jesus was born, but that because God so loved the world He sent His Son, born as a man to die on the Cross. the real reason for Christmas is so we can have Easter.
“if this was your wife’s birthday, or husband’s. Would you allow your kids to sing happy Birthday to the Pillsbury doughboy? would you allow your kids to celebrate that birthday to the image of Will Smith, the Easter Bunny, or any one other than you’re spouse?? absolutely not.”
Very good point and one most people haven’t even considered!
I’m sorry, but this is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve read in recent memory. A friend of mine had this posted on his Facebook page, which is how I ended up here. I find this whole post to be extremely legalistic…which is what you appear to be about here, based on your “alternate title” you suggest at the top. I’m sorry you don’t understand the difference between law and grace, and that Jesus came to fulfill the law so that we no longer have to live under it, but instead live under grace. (which, I understand, does NOT give us the right to blatantly sin). If I am wrong, I apologize, but based on what I’ve seen here, I’m probably not.
legalistic? because it wont let you live like you want? or Because you’re a Christian who has lied to their kids about Santa Claus? Legalistic would be saying don’t eat that pork.. as it is I am saying why allow a figure to distort or even blot out the real meaning of Christmas? By your post Jennie, I have to ask, do you have the proper reverence for Christ? He is the all, the everything… nothing and no one should come before Him. If you’re saved, He should be your everything… He should be your every waking moment, your every thought, your every dream.. He should be above all and everything in your life. Do you realize what He’s done for you?! And apparently you are content to let a fat guy blot out the real meaning of Christmas. Pastor or Pewfiller you should examine youself. (As should we all) So, again.. hardly legalistic… it’s about reverence.
It never ceases to amaze me how professing Christians can turn on other Christians because they are speaking TRUTH that they do not wish to hear. Conviction is a wonderful thing, it brings us to repentance. I too get angry when someone says something that convicts me, but if we are honest with ourselves, it is us who are in sin or we wouldn’t feel so annoyed.
As a Christian, a true Christian, we shouldn’t even tarnish the birth of our Lord and Saviour with the lie of santa, why lie? As parents, we do this because we think it will make the holiday more fun for the kids, but does it? does it really? Is it worth compromising the gospel for what you think will be fun for your child? Our daughter, who is 8 yrs old now, has never once believed in the lie of santa, she is perfectly happy and well rounded and enjoys very much celebrating the birth of Jesus, we bake Him and birthday cake, and get Him a card, sing happy birthday to Him and even release a birthday balloon in the air for Him. She loves it and she has not been lied to or made to believe that some fat generous man breaks into her house at night to leave gifts, she still gets gifts, but we tell her it is in recognition of the greatest gift that God has given us, His son. She is not “short-changed” by being told the truth…There is no need for santa in a true Christians life.
Tom:
I don’t know who you are or who you are affiliated with, but if you are going to run a blogsite like this, and expect others to engage in intelligent conversation, you ought not to be so antagonistic or make so many assumptions. First, I am NOT a parent, so no, I have NOT “lied to my kids” about Santa Claus. Second, I am a Christian who is SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST…PLUS NOTHING. I do not diminish the work of Christ on the cross by “living how I want”…again, you don’t know me and you are making unfounded assumptions simply because I don’t agree with what you wrote. Third, I happen to teach at one of the finest Christian universities in the nation, one that still holds to very conservative theology and has not “given in” to society or “liberal Christians”. But we preach and teach GRACE to our students, not “the Law”, as we are no longer under the law. The Bible is VERY clear about this.
That said, I will never visit your site again, as I simply disagree with what you are preaching here. I find it sad. However, I am not your judge…that is left up to God.
Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas – no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears*
*You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !*
Thanks Laura for posting this!
Michelle:
Read your own words…the EXACT same thing applies to both you AND Tom from my perspective. I’ll pray for you all to truly understand God’s grace in our lives and that YOU won’t diminish the work Jesus did on the cross by telling yourselves that you must still live under the Law. Sad, very sad.
Wow, if you read my post then you know that i did say that it applies to myself included. I will pray for you as well that you realize the true meaning of CHRISTmas, and stop believing that its ok to break the 9th commandment, even a little bit and that the lie of santa is ok to feed to children.
Jennie, no offense, but I dont understand your anger. I am simply stresing that we should have reverence for Christ, and worship Him.. and not let the worlds “Santa” come into the picture. and all of the sudden that’s me saying Christians are under the law?
I asked questions, I didn’t make assumptions.
Jennie, I have the privilege of knowing Tom personally, and I’m glad to say we are friends and brothers. Brothers in Christ that is. What you say as statements of living under the law were really directions for coming from under the law. It’s said that to get someone saved, you have get them “lost” first. Do you remember when you prayed your repentance prayer? Was your heart broken? Did you fully realize your sinful position? If not, then go take a very close look at the “Law of God”. This better known as the Ten Commandments.
Understand that if you tell a lie, you are a liar. It doesn’t matter what “type” of lie. Big, little, black or white they are all lies in God’s eyes.
Or if you have stolen something. It doesn’t matter what is the value. Whether it is a pen, ream of paper, goofing off at work the result is all the same you have become a thief.
Check out Matthew 5. Jesus very clearly explains how that lust is the same as adultry. Or how about 1John 3:15. It says that if you hate your brother you are a murder.
Our sins are not just the physical act, but the intention too. You’re probably thinking that you’re saved by grace (and you are) so that you are free of the law. Paul said that too. He also said that he didn’t know what sin was until the law told him.
What you perceived Tom said put him under the law. But it was really just directions for anyone reading to find the lighted path. How do you answer the Great Commission of Mark 16?
Larry, you’re a blessing, you explain stuff way better than I can. Thanks a lot brother.