Terry Somerville
Total Change Ministries
Dear Friends
I confess! I was watching one of those Santa Clause Christmas time movies this week. It was "Polar Express" to be exact and I think I learned something from that movie.
I know I know,"if you re-arrange the letters in Santa it spells Satan!" Well, if you feel that religious at this point, you should probably stop reading right now. I'm about to look at Santa from an altogether different angle. Shift gears.....Santa's the real reason we have a crisis of obesity in the nation! Imagine Santa on a reality weight loss TV show.... OK now you're in the right mood.
Over the years I've gone through a number of phases regarding Santa.
1. Childhood - Excited and scared that this mythical man would come and bless me with a gift - who knows what - sometime on Christmas eve. And sure enough he did! Wow! Did I look and listen for him? I sure did!
2. Adolescent - Having discovered Dad partaking of Santa's milk and cookies years ago, I still go along with it ....um .... for my little brothers sake. (and it means we get extra gifts from Mom and Dad) I think my brother is onto them. But the shrewd kid knows a good thing when he sees it!
3. Adult Christian Pastor - "Santa Clause is a deceptive replacement for Jesus in young children s lives." At least thats what I think, but dare not say too strongly at church. I'll get lynched! Come to think of it. The best and funniest Santa Clause I ever saw was at church. I even wanted to sit on his lap!
4. Middle Age Kingdom Evangelist Person Thingy - I think God probably enjoyed watching "Polar Express" as much as I did. I pray "Lord, give me your love for Canada. Show me your heart...this Christmas." Then He spoke to me and dropped some questions into my mind.
Why is our culture so hooked on Santa? What are people looking for in Santa Clause that's so appealing?
Well, lets look it over.
What Santa Is ...
1. A Supernatural Being that is actually a man that sees all and knows all and cares. Sounds like Jesus
2. He longs to give free gifts to those "who believe". Wow - that sounds like good news too.
3. He does not excuse the guilty. He knows if you've been bad or good, but really, he wants to forgive and bless. Just believe. Wow again. Sounds like God in Exodus 34.
4. He wants to impart the "spirit of Christmas" so everyone will love each other and bless and give gifts too. Always a happy ending here. Sounds like the Holy Spirit at work.
5. He has a secret Kingdom, full of strange little servants, and amazing creatures. In this place he has riches are prepared for those who believe. mmm this sounds familiar too.
So..The Question was ....
Why Is Our Culture Hooked on a Santa?
What Are People Looking For?
Why is He So Much Like God?
1. Santa is a Prophetic Statement from the Secular World Todays image of Santa Clause is the spirit of lost man expressing what he hungers for. The spiritual needs of man keep coming to the surface. Santa is created to fill a "God shaped Vacuum" (He can't of course) This is not bad. It's a gigantic sign.
2. Santa is a Cry From the Heart of our Nation. In a world based on performance and success, failure and wickedness, people are looking for one who is totally loving and forgiving, but also just. Intuitively, men realize this is the only mix that works. Mercy, and grace. They express it through Santa Clause.
3. Santa is a Cry For One Who Gives Purely Out of Love. People everywhere are longing for a love that overcomes every obstacle. They need to see it somewhere, that is why it's in the myth of Santa. But it is the reality of the God we know. They need to see it in us!
4. Santa is the Cry For Relationship With One Who is Greater. Believing is the only issue in these stories. Even more amazing - the modern day Santa story is about "lost belief being restored " This is the actual need of our nation!
The Story Is Fiction But The Hunger Is Real I've been asking God to reveal His heart for my nation. What does HE feel? At Christmas time it's seems He's hearing people express real spiritual hunger.
People want a God who:
Is full of love, joy and peace, and laughs a lot!
Loves me and forgives me, if only I believe
Wants to give me gifts because he loves me, not because I deserve it
Can change my heart to be like His
Is totally just and will ultimately solve the problems on earth
Has a Kingdom more powerful that the earthly one I'm in.
The heart of God is that He wants to tell people
what HE IS REALLY LIKE!
This Christmas, tell them about His love.
Actually, do it all year.
Blessings
Terry Somerville
www.totalchange.org
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