Honestly, I think Saint
Nicholas would be downright embarrassed if he saw how glorified his name is in
the Christmas season. Saint Nick was a follower of Jesus that saw the poor and
needy and responded. He gave to others in the name of Jesus and he received
joy in return. I can’t help but think this man, with his servant’s heart, would be flabbergasted
to hear that now “Santa” lives in the north pole and gives all the greedy
children more than they need or could even want. He would probably be brokenhearted
to see that Santa is glorified by the provisions that GOD has given. I’m not
just saying this. He was a follower of Jesus. I have a pretty good feeling that
this is pretty accurate. Saint Nick actually used his inheritance from his
wealthy deceased parents to give to the poor. He gave out of his plenty. Do we?
Do we follow Saint Nick's, aka Santa Clause, lead by giving out of our plenty
to provide for the poor (James 1:27)? Not only that, but Saint Nick was persecuted for his
faith! Whoa... Would that change the “meaning of Christmas” if we actually
acted like “Santa!”
Saint Nick was also considered a “protector of children.”
Sure we do our best to protect our children from being kidnapped, sick, and harmed….but
how do we protect them from selfishness and gluttony when we give them so many
expensive and ridiculous gifts? How many children in this world truly need
protection?.... Children in Asia who are sold into sexual slavery by their
parents who cannot afford to keep them, baby girls killed from the gendercide in China, children in
Africa exposed to malaria, children in South America drinking dirty water
full of parasites that will kill them......Who will protect them this Christmas? Will you be a “protector of children?”
This is what Saint Nick (Santa Clause) would want us to do
isn’t it? I know its what God wants us to do.
So in all fairness I leave you with some ways to apply a “Christian
Christmas”…..
1. Lets start with the trinity: Maybe instead of talking about how Santa Clause is going to bring your children gifts (aka lying to them if you ask me), how about you talk about how God the Father gave the best gift ever conceived!....Jesus! This was no ordinary gift, He was sent as a sacrificial gift. Jesus would die on the cross to save the world from their sins that separate us from eternity with a Holy God. My goodness what more glory and excitement do you need in celebrating Jesus’ birth!?!?! We talk about the “magic of Christmas” but this is no mystical story with reindeer and a fat man who can fit through a chimney….it is an inconceivable mystery that God would love us so much to send His Son to die for me!!!! I think I’ll forgo the world’s idea of a “magical Christmas” because the real deal is infinitely more glorious and wonderful. This type of Christmas should bring us to our knees in worship!
And instead of “elf on the shelf” (I find the pictures of to be pretty funny at times), let’s talk about how the Holy Spirit is always with us. Not only does He see the bad that we do (like the stuffed doll can supposedly do) but He can give us the power to overcome sin and all the bad things we do….I’d say the benefits of the Holy Spirit are infinitely better than “elf on the shelf.” The Holy Spirit is actually that and so much more! He is God within us! (Read “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan if you want to know more about the Holy Spirit)!
2. I’m going to suggest something that might seem next to impossible. I’m going to suggest that in memory of Saint Nick and his obedience to Jesus’ command to take care of the poor that we don’t get our kids so many presents. Yea…I know….crazy. And your kids can hate me for suggesting it (I don’t mind taking a punch for your children’s spiritual well being). Instead, go to www.indiamission.org or Samaritan's Purse , or an organization that means something to you and your kids (suggestions to the right of my blog page), and have your kids pick out a gift for a child somewhere else in the world to help. By doing this over time you will teach your kids to have a mindset like Saint Nick and like Jesus. You can't put a price tag on giving your children that.
Have a Merry Christmas!!!!
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/
