Monday, December 22
JC vs SC
christmas is in 2 days! wow. :) so, here's a little something to think about while you're at it:
Jesus vs Santa Claus
Okay, it’s almost Christmas, which means it’s story time, so let’s sit back and review, shall we?
God, the Creator of all Creation, became human?
Moreover, He not only became human, but became a needy, delicate, vulnerable baby?
And not only was He a baby, but a baby born to poor, lower middle class parents?
And as if that weren’t enough, He wasn’t even given a room or a home or a bed?
Seem too much to believe? Seem too far-fetched and ridiculous?
Have a hard time putting your faith in such a “figure”? Many do.
For some folks, the simple yet unfathomable facts surrounding the birth of Jesus are just “too much” to comprehend. So, rather than meditate on them in prayer, they reduce the nativity story to just that…a story. Well, let’s take a look at another story you may or may not know…
It’s intriguing that so many people in our culture can put their “faith” in Santa Claus but consider the story of Jesus to be a fabrication. In fact, many people don’t even realize that the Santa story is an extension and exaggeration of a great saint – Nicholas. St. Nicholas was born in (what is now) Turkey in 280 AD and died on December 6th, 343. He led a difficult life beginning with being orphaned at the age of nine. He went on to study philosophy and Christian doctrine (no, not toy engineering) and was considered quite an outspoken troublemaker by Emperor Diocletian, who wanted him to stop preaching Christianity. He would be jailed not once, but twice for his evangelization and eventually be named a Bishop of the church early in the fourth century.
Nicholas was known for his generosity. As tradition goes, he was so selfless that (although he, too, was poor) that he helped his likewise poor neighbor support and pay for his daughters’ weddings. Nicholas snuck up to his neighbor’s house at night and dropped a handful of gold coins through the open window so that the eldest daughter could afford to get married. He would later repeat the generous act two more times. From there, the Santa legend grew into what we now know today with stockings, chimneys, a belly like jelly and all that good stuff.
The true life story of St. Nicholas, though, is one of suffering, simplicity, generosity and humility. The nativity of Jesus is the same kind of story. Both were “unseen” by millions, but both are true. Both stories have changed our modern world, but only one opened the gates of Heaven.
The truth of what God did, by becoming man, is a story that isn’t “sensational enough” for some. How that is, I’m not sure. Still, the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth has all the beauty, intrigue and heroism that we seek. That being said, it still requires faith and an open heart to accept it.
Some people get more caught up with the star in the sky, than the one in the manger. Many would rather read their futures in the stars in the Heavens, than in Heaven itself.
Don’t ever get so comfortable with the “popular” notion of Jesus “the good person” that you lose the TRUTH of the story of Christ. He is Jesus, your Lord and Savior. He is God, and He came down here for you. St. Nicholas, while a holy man, was still just a man. And Santa’s magic, though it might warm the heart of a scrooge, cannot turn a heart to God or save their soul.
Make no mistake, both stories have a happy “ending”, one with gifts under a tree and the other with the gift of salvation Who hung on a tree but rose again.
The question is how and where you want your story to end?
Our ancestors, our brothers and sisters in the faith knew the power of a good story. They also knew the importance of discerning which stories they handed on to their children and in what manner. As we see in today’s passage from the Psalms, they took seriously their need to pass along the truths of faith in their stories, not just stories for the sake of entertainment. To do so was to follow the commands of God, not to do so was to muffle God’s voice to a young generation in need of it.
Our young people know a special day is coming, that fact is clear.
Why the day is special…how it affects their lives and futures…that is (as Paul Harvey would say) the REST OF THE STORY.
-Bible Geek @ Mark Hart
Lifeteen.com
Moreover, He not only became human, but became a needy, delicate, vulnerable baby?
And not only was He a baby, but a baby born to poor, lower middle class parents?
And as if that weren’t enough, He wasn’t even given a room or a home or a bed?
Seem too much to believe? Seem too far-fetched and ridiculous?
Have a hard time putting your faith in such a “figure”? Many do.
For some folks, the simple yet unfathomable facts surrounding the birth of Jesus are just “too much” to comprehend. So, rather than meditate on them in prayer, they reduce the nativity story to just that…a story. Well, let’s take a look at another story you may or may not know…
It’s intriguing that so many people in our culture can put their “faith” in Santa Claus but consider the story of Jesus to be a fabrication. In fact, many people don’t even realize that the Santa story is an extension and exaggeration of a great saint – Nicholas. St. Nicholas was born in (what is now) Turkey in 280 AD and died on December 6th, 343. He led a difficult life beginning with being orphaned at the age of nine. He went on to study philosophy and Christian doctrine (no, not toy engineering) and was considered quite an outspoken troublemaker by Emperor Diocletian, who wanted him to stop preaching Christianity. He would be jailed not once, but twice for his evangelization and eventually be named a Bishop of the church early in the fourth century.
Nicholas was known for his generosity. As tradition goes, he was so selfless that (although he, too, was poor) that he helped his likewise poor neighbor support and pay for his daughters’ weddings. Nicholas snuck up to his neighbor’s house at night and dropped a handful of gold coins through the open window so that the eldest daughter could afford to get married. He would later repeat the generous act two more times. From there, the Santa legend grew into what we now know today with stockings, chimneys, a belly like jelly and all that good stuff.
The true life story of St. Nicholas, though, is one of suffering, simplicity, generosity and humility. The nativity of Jesus is the same kind of story. Both were “unseen” by millions, but both are true. Both stories have changed our modern world, but only one opened the gates of Heaven.
The truth of what God did, by becoming man, is a story that isn’t “sensational enough” for some. How that is, I’m not sure. Still, the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth has all the beauty, intrigue and heroism that we seek. That being said, it still requires faith and an open heart to accept it.
Some people get more caught up with the star in the sky, than the one in the manger. Many would rather read their futures in the stars in the Heavens, than in Heaven itself.
Don’t ever get so comfortable with the “popular” notion of Jesus “the good person” that you lose the TRUTH of the story of Christ. He is Jesus, your Lord and Savior. He is God, and He came down here for you. St. Nicholas, while a holy man, was still just a man. And Santa’s magic, though it might warm the heart of a scrooge, cannot turn a heart to God or save their soul.
Make no mistake, both stories have a happy “ending”, one with gifts under a tree and the other with the gift of salvation Who hung on a tree but rose again.
The question is how and where you want your story to end?
Our ancestors, our brothers and sisters in the faith knew the power of a good story. They also knew the importance of discerning which stories they handed on to their children and in what manner. As we see in today’s passage from the Psalms, they took seriously their need to pass along the truths of faith in their stories, not just stories for the sake of entertainment. To do so was to follow the commands of God, not to do so was to muffle God’s voice to a young generation in need of it.
Our young people know a special day is coming, that fact is clear.
Why the day is special…how it affects their lives and futures…that is (as Paul Harvey would say) the REST OF THE STORY.
-Bible Geek @ Mark Hart
Lifeteen.com
our love lingers at 7:57:00 PM
0 people said this is meant to be
0 people said this is meant to be
