Parents who "Do Santa" dread the day when their kids come home from school with doubt and despair written all over their faces. When little Tommy looks you in the eyes, teetering on the brink of despair, and asks, "Mommy, is Santa real?" They fear the schoolyard joy steal-er told them the truth but hope you will keep the magic alive for one more Christmas.
Many parents struggle with the idea of lying to their children. Others do not want to rob kids of a special childhood joy. I believe there is an honest answer that threads the needle.
I love to say, "I absolutely believe in the Spirit of St. Nicholas!" There is no ethical quandary for me in doing so. Nicholas was raised in a wealthy Christian home on what is today the Southern coast of Turkey. His parents died when he was young so Nicholas took his inheritance and used it to help others in need. His dedication to Christ and generous deeds led to him becoming the Bishop of Myra. He was known for his dedication to the poor, to children, and those who traveled the seas. His faith eventually landed him in prison under the Roman ruler Diocletian. If the historical accounts of his faith, suffering, and good deeds are true then I believe he was indeed filled with the Holy Spirit. It is that belief which allows me to say that I believe in the, "Spirit of St. Nicholas."
The true Spirit of St. Nicholas is the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. This Spirit reveals Christ and draws us to salvation. The Holy Spirit in our heart leads us to love, charity, and good deeds. It is this Spirit who gives us words and grace to endure times of challenge. So when I say, "I believe in the Spirit of St. Nicholas" I am telling the absolute truth. Because I do believe in the Holy Spirit, and salvation, and good deeds, and charity.
So while I am radically committed to making Christmas about Jesus Christ, who is the true reason for the season, I am not opposed to the presence of Santa. As children become older it is wonderful to introduce them to the reality of the true St. Nicholas, and help them understand all the joy and magic he brought to Christmas was because of his personal and radical commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.
So I say again, "I really do believe in the Spirit of St. Nicholas, and the Christ St. Nicholas served!" Don't you?
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Christmas is the Time for Reconciliation:
Many years ago we were transporting a handcuffed man in our police
car. Jail was just a few days behind him, and right back in front of
him. He had violated his probation by brutally beating his ex-girl
friend. I asked him why he beat her up. He looked at me like I was
stupid and offered his explanation.
He beat her up because she had testified against him for beating her up. Her testimony sent him to jail. He spent his years in jail preparing for the day when he could get out and beat her up for testifying against him which he blamed for locking him up. We rode in the back of the police car, him headed right back to jail for an even longer period of time. I was amazed how the man's logic made perfect sense to him. In his mind, beating her up was the right and proper response to what she had so terribly done to him. He was the victim in his story!
Most of us will read this extreme example and agree the man completely missed reality. Sadly, in our own lives we will harbor anger, unforgiveness, and plot petty revenges. We will obsess over the alleged offense done to us and remain blind to the part we played in the mess we made.
He beat her up because she had testified against him for beating her up. Her testimony sent him to jail. He spent his years in jail preparing for the day when he could get out and beat her up for testifying against him which he blamed for locking him up. We rode in the back of the police car, him headed right back to jail for an even longer period of time. I was amazed how the man's logic made perfect sense to him. In his mind, beating her up was the right and proper response to what she had so terribly done to him. He was the victim in his story!
Most of us will read this extreme example and agree the man completely missed reality. Sadly, in our own lives we will harbor anger, unforgiveness, and plot petty revenges. We will obsess over the alleged offense done to us and remain blind to the part we played in the mess we made.
John 1:14 (MSG)
The Word
became flesh and blood,
and moved into the
neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own
eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,
Generous inside
and out, true from start to finish.
Jesus moved into our neighborhood to break
the cycle of sin, revenge, and self righteousness.
He came to love, heal, and forgive. If we are His children,
He has called us into the family business of reconciliation.
It is not easy. But Jesus said it clearly, simply, and powerfully.
"If somebody has sinned against you, go to them!
If you have sinned against somebody, go to them!"
This is not a call to foolishly place yourself in harms way.
Jesus is not calling you to be a doormat, or abused,
or taken advantage of again and again.
But He is calling you to let go of the anger,
the hatred, the plots, the revenge, and the poison
that can live in your soul and color your world.
Stop justifying and excusing the part you played in the mess you made.
Look in the mirror, reflect upon the truth, and own reality.
Then reach out, say your sorry, and be free!
Christmas really is the Holy Season when God
swung down from the heavens and touched the earth
in a most unique and glorious way.
Allow this Holy Season to be the Reason for Reaching out
and Opening the Amazing Door of Reconciliation!
For my own personal application:
I would love to speak with anyone
who feels any offense toward or from me,
because I want us both to be free!
Christmas Time Reconciliation!
Many years ago we were transporting a handcuffed man in our police car. Jail was just a few days behind him, and right back in front of him. He had violated his probation by brutally beating his ex-girl friend. I asked him why he beat her up. He looked at me like I was stupid and offered his explanation.
He beat her up because she had testified against him for beating her up. Her testimony sent him to jail. He spent his years in jail preparing for the day when he could get out and beat her up for testifying against him which he blamed for locking him up. We rode in the back of the police car, him headed right back to jail for an even longer period of time. I was amazed how the man's logic made perfect sense to him. In his mind, beating her up was the right and proper response to what she had so terribly done to him. He was the victim in his story!
Most of us will read this extreme example and agree the man completely missed reality. Sadly, in our own lives we will harbor anger, unforgiveness, and plot petty revenges. We will obsess over the alleged offense done to us and remain blind to the part we played in the mess we made.
He beat her up because she had testified against him for beating her up. Her testimony sent him to jail. He spent his years in jail preparing for the day when he could get out and beat her up for testifying against him which he blamed for locking him up. We rode in the back of the police car, him headed right back to jail for an even longer period of time. I was amazed how the man's logic made perfect sense to him. In his mind, beating her up was the right and proper response to what she had so terribly done to him. He was the victim in his story!
Most of us will read this extreme example and agree the man completely missed reality. Sadly, in our own lives we will harbor anger, unforgiveness, and plot petty revenges. We will obsess over the alleged offense done to us and remain blind to the part we played in the mess we made.
John 1:14 (MSG)
The Word
became flesh and blood,
and moved into the
neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own
eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,
Generous inside
and out, true from start to finish.
Jesus moved into our neighborhood to break
the cycle of sin, revenge, and self righteousness.
He came to love, heal, and forgive. If we are His children,
He has called us into the family business of reconciliation.
It is not easy. But Jesus said it clearly, simply, and powerfully.
"If somebody has sinned against you, go to them!
If you have sinned against somebody, go to them!"
This is not a call to foolishly place yourself in harms way.
Jesus is not calling you to be a doormat, or abused,
or taken advantage of again and again.
But He is calling you to let go of the anger,
the hatred, the plots, the revenge, and the poison
that can live in your soul and color your world.
Stop justifying and excusing the part you played in the mess you made.
Look in the mirror, reflect upon the truth, and own reality.
Then reach out, say your sorry, and be free!
Christmas really is the Holy Season when God
swung down from the heavens and touched the earth
in a most unique and glorious way.
Allow this Holy Season to be the Reason for Reaching out
and Opening the Amazing Door of Reconciliation!
For my own personal application:
I would love to speak with anyone
who feels any offense toward or from me,
because I want us both to be free!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)