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FAMILY NEWSFOOD BANK: Tomorrow we open the Food Bank again. The “Feeding America” truck is changing their method of distributing food, and a special meeting has been called by them to explain the new procedures. Our leaders in this great program will be attending it and we will have to discuss how the changes involve us. Our thanks to everyone who has had a part in this work. CLASS TONIGHT: At 6:00 P.M. we will be continuing our class on the existence of God. We are examining atheist challenges to faith and how to answer these challenges. Richard Dawkins, the world's number 1 atheist, has claimed that the God of the Bible is malevolent, sadomasochistic, pestilential, filicidal, genocidal, infanticidal, racist, homophobic, misogynistic, unjust, petty, jealous, a control freak, and an ethnic cleanser as well as a bully. Do you know what all those words mean? More importantly, do you know how to answer the challenges Dawkins makes to your child and/or grandchild? He uses Scripture for most of them. Last week we had a good discussion about God being homophobic. If you cannot get out to meet with us, the class is on Zoom and Karl can set you up to be a part of it. WHETHER WE DO THE WHOLE SERIES OR NOT STARTING IN JANUARY IS UP TO YOU. VOICE YOUR OPINION to Bill Gibson, Karl Marcussen or Richard Hoyt. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. There is a need to distinguish between Santa and Christ — Atheists say they are the same.
I. SANTA “LIVES” AT THE NORTH POLE.
B. Is Santa the “Spirit of Christmas” or a gimmick? Is the church a commercial gimmick?
C. Why do small children cry in Santa's Lap?1. Santa has to ask a child's name.
D. Are Santa and God something man created?2. Mark 10:13-16 — Jesus and children A.Jesus is everywhere — Acts 17:24-28
II. SANTA RIDES IN A SLEIGH. JESUS WALKS ON WATER.
B. Personal vs. impersonal; Physical vs. spiritual. A. Santa has no problems. Jesus understands.
III. SANTA COMES ONCE A YEAR. JESUS IS CONSTANT.
B. Hebrews 4:15 Matthew 28:20 — Who do you call on in a crisis?
IV. SANTA'S GIFTS ARE LIMITED TO STOCKINGS.
Matthewe 7:7
V. SANTA COMES UNINVITED. JESUS KNOCKS.
A. Revelation 3:20 — God seeks man.
B. You stand in line vs. omnipresence — Acts 17:27-28. VI. YOU SIT IN SANTA'S LAP VS THE SONG "SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS" IN SONGBOOK.
WHO KNOWS YOUR HISTORY AND FUTURE?
A. Psalm 139:15
VII. SANTA MAKES TOYS, JESUS MAKES A NEW LIFE.
B. A “bowl full of jelly” vs. a heart full of love. The physical vs. the spiritual
C. “You better not cry” vs. Matthew 11:19A. What do you really want for Christmas?
VIII. SANTA PUTS GIFTS UNDER YOUR TREE. JESUS BECAME A GIFT AND DIED ON A TREE.
B. Toys or a new life? — 1 Corinthians 15:24 A. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
B. There is really no comparison. THE BACK PAGETHE ORIGINS OF SANTAIn today's lesson we have seen the contrast between the biblical teachings about Christ, and what Santa is about in our culture. What many of us do not realize is that Santa Claus is a western Christian culture figure. The concept of Santa had Catholic roots. Saint Nicholas was a 4th century Greek Christian bishop in Lycia. His bones are in the Basilica of San Nicola today. December 6 was established as “The Feast of Saint Nicholas” and the featured attraction was gifts for children. Our modern tradition of Santa Claus began in 1823 with a poem titled “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” by Thomas Nast. Martin Luther promoted December 25 as the date of this celebration and in 1843 Charles Dickens promoted a spirit man in a green suit that took Scrooge through the streets of London on a Christmas morning. It was not until 1902 that Santa took hold in America with a book titled The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Frank Baum. In 1930 Coca Cola used the first image of Santa in a red suit for commercial purposes. A Hollywood star named Jonathan Meath explained the popularity of Santa this way: “Santa is the only cultural icon who is male, does not carry a gun, is all about peace, joy, giving, and caring for others.” Jesus Christ is far more than an icon, and there is a danger in promoting Jesus as a commercial figure. We need to understand where our special historic figures come from; and if we do, the biblical concept of Jesus Christ is unique. Confusing Jesus with Santa is an indicator of how poorly people in our world today understand the nature of Christ. We are not denigrating Santa in today's lesson, but rather are focusing on the superiority of Christ. You can engage in fantasy and have a big Santa shaped balloon in your front yard if you wish, but let us not confuse the Son of God and what he means to us with the fictional character of Saint Nick. This is a great chance to teach. Our sign by the street! Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
