If you're really Santa Claus, you can get it for me. And if you can't you're only a nice man with a white beard like Mother said.
As I'm about to head off to the mall to endure the beating that is Christmas shopping ...I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and to remind us all that Jesus is the reason for the season. That's actually pretty easy to forget.
But as well I wanted to remind us that Christ is more than just a baby in a manger or a cosmic Santa Claus that give us what we want.
Our need is not for more stuff, but for salvation, which is only through Christ (John 14:6).
Our Greatest Need
If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Savior.
He is our Savior, but He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (glory, Hallelujah!).
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. -Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)
Remember, He took on humanity that we might honor God through our redemption as we glorify His grace (Eph 1:11-12).
The Maker of man became man that He, Ruler of the stars, might be nourished at the breast; that He, the Bread, might be hungry; that He, the Fountain, might thirst; that He, the Light, might sleep; that He, the Way, might be wearied by the journey; that He, the Truth, might be accused by false witnesses; that He, the Judge of the living and the dead, might be brought to trial by a mortal judge; that He, Justice, might be condemned by the unjust; that He, Discipline, might be scourged with whips; that He, the Foundation, might be suspended upon a cross; that Courage might be weakened; that Security might be wounded; that Life might die. – Saint Augustine
With regard to Santa, I'm not a hater, but I never want him to be an eclipser either.
Subordinate your extracurricular slooge so that Jesus Christ is not eclipsed by a holiday commercialized to the point of potentially having little relationship with the Savior.
Hey, Santa Claus really is only a nice man with a white beard. But Jesus Christ is our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Master, and Lord.
Merry Christmas!
posted by GUNNY @ 14:43
4 comments
4 Comments:
The WINTER SOLSTICE is much older than Christianity, and it is the REAL Reason for the Season.
Winter Solstice Greetings from San Francisco!
This is bush league psych-out stuff! Laughable, man!
Forget it, Donny; you're out of your element.
Well ... yes and no. Yes, people have been celebrating the Winter Solstice for ages, but that's not the reason Macy's is having a sale or stores will start gearing up for Christmas 2007 starting 12/26/2006.
For the Christians, now, only for the Christian, the celebration is to transcend Santa, 8 tiny reindeer, and even Rudolph to boot.
In that regard, it's quite valid, and ecclesiologically faithful to say, "Jesus is the reason for the season."
However, I'll be the first to admit it is quite fun and refreshing to enjoy (and/or celebrate) the change of season and the greatness that is snow, though I'm quite deprived here in the Lone Star State!
Nonetheless, Merry Christmas to you in SF and Go Cowboys.
P.S. By the way, how those 49ers treating you this year? Would you like T.O. back for an early Christmas gift?
; )
Had to get that jab in as one who is a hater of all things sports-like related to SF (in descending order of disdain): 49ers, Kings, and Giants.
Seems this guy did a search for any blog with the words "Jesus is the reason for the season." An ambitious undertaking, but a pretty weak argument. He was polite, which is nice.
On another note, Howdy, neighbor! I live just down the street from you (well, 80 miles down the street) pastoring a United Methodist congregation in Como.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Shalom,
Kurt
me thinks you're right, Kurt.
I did a little research and noticed his comments cut & pasted abundantly. That's why I figured I'd post my response not only here, but on his blog as well.
I didn't get the impression he'd be back for dialog otherwise.
But, yes, a polite chap, nonetheless.
As a Methodist, you might care for my post recounting the sermon listening instructions of my hero, the Methodist George Whitefield.
Thanks for stopping by and I'll look for you around the neighborhood.
; )
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