I formed propositional statements on what is true, and was met with ad hominem attacks, a very liberal/democrat tactic. If one cannot win by facts, then come the attacks.
Jesus most certainly was graceful, but he didn't suffer any fools either. He CORRECTED bad doctrine. The Pharisees for their part, were the result of bad doctrine and their hardened hearts prevented them from accepting who Jesus is: the Christ.
Did Jesus ever claim to be God? Yes He did, and the Pharisees sought to stone Him. They didn't want to hear the truth.
The issue with Satan Claus is: it blinds our children to truth. That is my point. I experienced it in my own life, and I've experienced it in ministry. My proposition is: our country would be in a far better position if we abandoned the fat dude, and reinstated Jesus to His rightful place. There is nothing Pharisaical about that.
Even if it was a true story, getting teary eyed over a child dying in Santa's arms is ridiculous. Not hearing about the truth of Jesus Christ is what should bring us to tears.
I have noticed on the HALLMARK channel and in the retail stores that there is a move to give SANTA more and more CHRIST-like attributes. “BELIEVE” is about SANTA, not JESUS.
SANTA heals people, is with them in spirit. Children are urged to channel him for answers to every kind of problem. SANTA CLAUS is nothing like ST. NICK, who did kind deeds for the needy.
I beg to differ.
If you are raising the kid with religious instruction I see no problem with the Santa Claus fable. Why you might ask? Because the fable contains the essence of a much larger truth.
Children are unable to understand eternity sin, or mortality or all the subtle nuances that adult can. What they can understand is neat stuff, toys and a deep love from all around them that they will retain in their heart for the rest of their lives.
Now around they time they are 9 or 10 they realize the stuff comes form adults, but the deep joy of Christmas continues for the rest of their life. That helps lead them to G-D and his son.
At some point they realize if there is not G-d then life is pretty grim, a nihilist if they have enough abstract reasoning power. So many turn to look for G-d. If they come from a christen family they will eventually end up with Jesus, and what is a better reminder of him and the promise of a creator that cares about us, and has provided for us, but the joy of Christ’s birth celebration. The best possible gift and the fable of SC in youth makes the reality of JC birth observation inherently a joyful event, not some solemn event noted in passing in a cold churh late at night.
That is the larger truth that is contained in X-mass stuff that is not religious. Remove all Yuel log, the songs, the treats the pagan tree and a most importantly the presents to kids and it is just another high holy day. Big...deal....
I was raised on Santa and as a older man those memories are precious, as is X-mass day full of joy to this day. It is a season of joy for me, when I am able to lift my head out of the details of daily life to see it. That jy has moved form a fable tot he real reason for the joy, but the seed was planted as a 4 year old, the first X-mass I recall.