Santa Claus 

     Santa Claus trivia – Why is Christmas day like any other day at the office? Because you do all the work & the fat guy gets all the credit. OR Why is Santa Claus always a man? Because a woman would never wear the same outfit every year. OR Three stages of men: believes in Santa Claus, doesn’t believe in Santa, then BECOMES Santa Clause. Well, the legend of S.C. has Dutch roots. From about 1765 he was Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, etc. The fat man in red suit brings toys & good cheer each year on Dec 25. There may have been a benevolent figure that gave gifts to children in Dutch legend, but the flying reindeer & sleigh has been added. However loved or maligned Santa may be, Christmas & Santa have to be a good thing:
-   As a holiday, children are completely enthused.
-   Adults also get cheered up from the kid’s wonderful attitude.
-   Lots of people get an extra day off close to the New Year’s holiday.
-   Economies are stimulated by purchasing toys & gifts. Many stores make their best profits in Nov. &       Dec.
-   Then Christmas music is enchanting for all to enjoy.
     I like ALL of the Christmas stuff because it is originally a Biblical connection, and the grand scale of it anchors the name of Christ in millions of minds – even in that Muslim city Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (December ’15) they get enchanted with our Christmas. Matthew 2:1-12 is the Biblical connection, and the gifts & materialism speaks to me of the GIVING NATURE of GOD. Lucky for us, our Biblical God is gracious, benevolent, & GIVING. Now if Santa Claus or Saint Nick can be seen as a type of Christ, then what gifts does He bring?
*   God in Christ gives/created our earth & keeps it balanced in its orbit around the sun. Genesis 1:1,           John 1:1 (Those two refs. are a lot like Christianity 101.)
*   Christ in God gives life – even if it’s not as perfect as we might wish. Hebrews 1:3a
*   He gives nourishment, music & happiness to most folks.   Colossians 2:9-10
*   God in Christ gives Christmas. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the           government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” KJV
*   He gives/reveals answers about the purpose of life & destiny of souls to those who want God’s                 answers. See “What is the Answer?” link 41.
*   He gives Himself as salvation from sin; He gives God’s blessing & eternal life to those who seek Him.       Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.”
     Well, I know that Jesus Christ as Santa Claus is a repulsive thought to some, but I try to look beyond the materialism of Christmas towards the giver of all things – the Lord God of scripture. And that scripture reveals God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – one God in three persons. So, Santa Claus as “the Son” is only good theology, and an allegorical picture to help illustrate the giving nature of God. And the list of “goodies” above is NOTHING compared to the thousands of promises we find in the Book – if we read & believe it . . . (if we don’t, we are cheating ourselves.)
     Whether Jesus Christ wears a red suit or a white robe, we are still accountable to Him. People should consider the solemn words of Christ, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” And these also “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Choose Jesus, He is Alive. Those last refs. are John 14:6 and Psalm 37:4. See also link 97 “Was Jesus God?”

Other interesting Titles:  www.gospelnotes.org                                                           * * F. J. Stone * *  
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