Friday, December 31, 2010

Friday Funnies:


Happy funny Friday everyone! This happens to be the last Friday... well any day for that matter... in 2010! I hope you all had a joyous year, and are looking forward to the coming one.

Visit Homesteader's Heart to ring in the new year with more laughs, tears of joy and nose snorts by clicking the button below:
Homesteader's Heart

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Thankful Thursday



I am ever so thankful for this man. My own personal Mr. Amazing, because he IS amazing! He is an amazing husband and father. How many other guys do you know that will take their kids sledding, bruise their tail bone, and in order to please their 3 year old daughter (who loves sledding) resort to going down the hill on their belly. :) I'm pretty sure he is the best dad EVER, and I love him so very, very much. I am very thankful for my husband. I am thankful that he is the man he is, I am thankful that he has this week off from work, I am thankful that he loves me, and I am thankful that God brought him into my life.



What are you thankful for this week? Write about it and link up over at Grace Alone.

Word-filled Wednesday!




This is officially the last Word-filled Wednesday of 2010. I realize that I haven't posted since Christmas... I've been busy. But I didn't want to go without posting a Word-filled Wednesday post! I love Word-filled Wednesday! This Wednesday my Scripture is actually my favorite prayer from the Bible.

I pray that you all have a glorious, Word-filled, New Year,
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
~Ephesians 3:14-21

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Eve

We have had a fantastic evening. I have pictures... but they aren't downloaded to my computer yet... sorry. I will outline the day later on, but for now I wanted to send out a Merry Christmas to you all! Whether or not you celebrate December 25th as the birth of Christ or not, I hope that God blesses you through the birth of His Son (whenever that day really was).

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Thankful Thursday: ungrateful


I can't believe I'm going to say it, but I am thankful that Christmas is almost here. I LOVE this time of year. But today, I am just thankful that it's almost here. I love baking cookies, sending out cards, and just blessing others. I love hearing my boys talk about things they could give others, but for today I am saddened by the whole affair. I strive to keep Christ at the center of this holiday, but today I am feeling very selfish. I give to others because I enjoy it. I'm sure that is because of Christ living in me, but sometimes I feel selfish about giving what I want to give. I handed out a couple of my prettily packaged Christmas cookies to some homeless people yesterday, and they all but laughed in my face. They don't want cookies, they want cash. Not only do I not have cash to give them (we are a rather low income family), but if they were truly homeless I would think they would have enjoyed my cookies a little bit more. But the truth is that 50% of the homeless here in Denver are homeless by choice, 40% aren't really homeless at all, they just realize how much cash the homeless make in a day standing on a corner with a sign and decide it's an easy way to con people, and the other 10% really are homeless, because of circumstances beyond their control, and probably 5% of those have too much pride to hold up a sign asking for hand-outs. I am terribly sad that I can't do more for the homeless who really want and need help, but the others make me thankful that the holidays are almost over. Yes, they will still be there, but they are a little more grateful at other times of the year, because they aren't being so taken care of. One of the guys I saw yesterday had a whole stack of food that someone had bought him. He was blessed beyond measure, and all he said was 'Great. More food.' Then turned and walked away.

This holiday season is just showing me how much of a fallen world we live in (not just those around me, but I myself am sinfully flawed and quite ungrateful)and it makes me want to cry . So for today, I am thankful that Christmas is almost here. I'm thankful that life can go back to normal soon. I'm thankful that I will get to see my mom today. I'm thankful that my husband has next week off from work. I'm thankful that I get to meet one of my dearest friends in person for the first time next week (we have been friends online for 3 years!). And I am thankful that God loves me so much that sent His Son to die for my ungrateful heart.

To read more (hopefully more cheerful) thankful Thursday posts, please visit this months host, Iris, at her blog Grace Alone.

I'm also linking this up with MamaKat's writer's workshop in response to prompt #1: Write about a Christmas gift that was not well received, as my Christmas cookies were not. :(
Mama's Losin' It

I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Cards


“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ~Matthew 2:2

I love Christmas cards! My favorites are always the ones that include Scripture and tell of the love of our Savior. It's always fun receiving mail that you actually want, even if it does come in the mailbox accompanied by tons of junk mail. This reminds me so much of the Christmas message. Jesus came into a world full of junk. He was delivered in a stable because the town was too busy to make room for Him. He lived His life here on earth, then He died for our sins. This Christmas season, I can't help but think that He has turned into something like a greeting card. We can joyfully rejoice in finding Him in our lives, but how many of us set Him off to the side, maybe even display Him, but focus more on the rest of the mail that came with Him. We want Him and the junk that was in the box. We don't take the time to sort it out and discard what doesn't belong. In the process our houses or lives become cluttered, and it's hard to see where we are going or accomplish even the simplest task because of all the junk. We look over at our Jesus Christmas card and wonder why He is letting things go so wrong, when all He wants is for us to realize that it isn't because of Him, but the junk that we allowed in with Him.

This Christmas I want to be more discerning about the things that come into my home. I want to take this time, the time we celebrating the rising of His star and I want to choose to worship Him. When the magi traveled from the east, they weren't putting Jesus to the side, He was their main thought, their whole purpose. I want to be like that. I want Jesus to be the center of this holiday, not just a card on the mantle.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday posts, please visit the internet cafe:




I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Cookies for the homeless


Today we are beginning a new Christmas tradition. I have been meaning to do it all season, but have just finished getting everything ready. I baked cookies for Mr. Amazing's employees, and packaged them all up nice. I figured while I was at it, I should do some extras. I am going to be passing out these cookie packages to all of the homeless people I pass for the next few days. Each package has cookies and a candy cane, and is wrapped with a ribbon. Attached is the a card with a Scripture (John 3:16), and on the back of the card is the candy cane poem about Jesus. I am really looking forward to passing these out. I have been sad that I have passed so many people already and haven't yet had them in my car. :(

I am also using this opportunity to teach the kids about giving, and love. We will pray for each person that we give cookies to as a family. I'm so excited! I can't think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than giving and praying!


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Monday, December 20, 2010

New requests!


Since I finished reading Slave by John MacArthur, I thought I would request another book :) This one looks really informational, and packed full of valuable knowledge. :) Here is BookSneezes description of the book:

An unbiased examination and compelling courtroom presentation revealing the undeniable facts of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Intelligent, fair, and remarkably compelling, The Jesus Inquest argues the case both for and against the resurrection of Christ. Point-by-point, Foster, in turn as both barrister X and Y, leaves no theological stone or dissenter's rock unturned as he digs for answers and the truth. In the end he is more convinced that Jesus is real, that He did rise again, and that He lives to offer forgiveness and hope to all who come to Him.


Anyway, I just requested it and am looking forward to reading it!


And on another happy note, Tyndale had a video available for review! I just requested this fun looking video to watch with the kids! :) Their description:

Using colorful animation, fun characters, and great lessons, Paws & Tales is an exciting tool for helping build godly character into kids. Based on the “Paws & Tales” nationally broadcast radio program presented by Chuck Swindoll’s Insight for Living, the Paws & Tales videos communicate biblical truth and show kids how they can apply it to real life. Kids will be captivated by the adventure, caught up in the laughter, and carried away in the fun . . . and the whole time they'll be on their way to understanding solid Bible theology. This first DVD in the series, based on Psalm 23:1 and Proverbs 10:25, teaches kids that God cares for them. The DVD features two full-length animated episodes, music videos, an e-book, activities, and parent resources.
Chuck Swindoll comments to parents: “Laying a good spiritual foundation in your children is essential . . . and even better when it’s reinforced early and often. Paws & Tales is a great tool for helping you build godly character into your kids.”

Slave by John MacArthur

I just finished reading Slave by John MacArthur. This book outlines what it has meant to be a slave throughout history; from ancient Egypt, to first century Roman slaves, and on to the more recent British/American slave trade. Mr. MacArthur gave lots of background so that we could properly understand what it means to be a slave of Christ.

I immediately fell in love with the presentation of this book. There was something about the pages that made them seem almost delicate. While this book was slow starting, it gave much needed information to better understand what it was trying to convey. It was extremely well researched and very enlightening.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



Breakdown:
Worldview: Biblical
Target Audience: Those who profess a belief in Christ
Positive Elements: All of it…
Inappropriate Language: None 
Unbiblical Content: None
Other Negative Elements: None

Crucified?

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20

I have been pondering today what it would really be like to be able to say with Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me..." To die to oneself is not an easy thing. While I want nothing more out of my life than to please Christ, it is hard to put my fleshly desires aside, and focus on what Christ want's. When I want to go to bed early because I'm tired, it's hard to not skip reading to the kids about Christ (part of our bed time routine). It's hard in the mornings when I'm not really awake yet, not to let everyone have some free time instead of starting the day off memorizing Scripture and studying God's Word together. I know which things please Christ, but I am still made of flesh. I want to please God, I want to die to my own desires and not live for myself. But to really be crucified with Christ and live for Him with every breath dedicate it to Him, would be an amazing thing... I'm not there yet, but with His help, maybe someday...


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Another Sunday

Our kids have been battling the stomach flu for going on 3 weeks now. This is the 3rd Sunday that we are missing church because of it and I miss my church family!!! I'm one of those people who NEED's fellowship with other believers. The thought of not seeing them until Christmas eve sadden's me. What's worse is that there is also the possibility that I won't see them on Christmas eve if this lingers!

However, during this time I am choosing to be thankful for the fact that God is here with me. I don't have to go to church to see Him. He is everywhere. He is there with me at 2am when I am changing bed sheets (for the 10th time), He is there with me at 4 o'clock in the afternoon when I am so exhausted from lack of sleep that all I want to do is cry, and He is there with me when I am holding one of my sick children through their tears over being sick. I am so thankful that God is with us always!


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas Cookies


Today I'm baking cookies (and I made fudge too) for Christmas. Part of them are being packaged for Mr. Amazing to take to work and give to his crew during their Christmas party, part of them are being packaged for me to carry in the car and give to the homeless people that I pass on the street corners, and part of them are being put in the pantry to be eaten on Christmas eve. :) Such a fun day of baking!

The kids even helped with the dishes! (They also helped cutting out the shapes above...)


While I'm baking I'm enjoying listening to my Casting Crowns Christmas CD :) I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Friday, December 17, 2010

I need a silent night


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Friday Funnies



It's time for Friday funnies once again! This commercial is too cute! Hope you enjoy it!



For more Friday Funnies, please visit Homesteader's Heart by clicking the button below:
Homesteader's Heart

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Thankful Thursday


To read more thankful Thursday posts, please visit this months host, Iris, at her blog Grace Alone.

On this wonderful Thankful Thursday, I am thankful that God is sovereign. I am thankful that His ways are better than my ways. You see, the weatherman here forecast snow for yesterday and we were all looking forward to it! However, it never came. I am tempted to be ungrateful about this, but God is using this to remind me that He is ultimately in control.

There are so many things that I wish wouldn't happen, or would make happen if I could, but God is in control of everything, and He knows what He is doing. He has a reason for it not snowing today, just as He had a reason for me having cancer as a baby. I might not see a reason for it not snowing now (or ever) but I trust my God that He knows best. Just as I am now thankful for my cancer, as my own experience is how I knew that my son also had it, and helped me get through that ordeal. I am actually thankful that God gave me the gift of experiencing it for myself.

So I can also choose to rejoice in the fact that there is no snow... even though I really, REALLY wanted it. I love snow! But I love my God more. The snow will come in His time, not mine. I am thankful that He is in control and that He knows what is best for us all.


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Word-filled Wednesday: Born to die


Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ~1 Peter 1:3

During this time of the year we celebrate the birth of Christ, but I have been thinking today about why Christ was born. He was born to die. His soul purpose on this earth was to atone for our sins through his innocent death. While He was here He lived an amazing life that can be an example to us all, but His purpose was to come and die for us. He died so that we could have hope, be forgiven, and ultimately be born again.

Jesus was born fully God and fully human. It was all part of God's perfect plan to save us. He was born in a manger and died on a Cross. God loved us so much that He sent His royal Son to live a life of poverty on earth, for us. For me, and for you. He was born, and He died, so that we may have eternal life. Our God is so amazing.



My Anti-Santaism: Sharing Christmas

No Santa

This post kind of adds to my last post. This video was shared with me this morning, and it is exactly what happens each Christmas.



What are your thoughts? Did this point anything out to you about your celebration? For me it was honestly eye opening. We have never done Santa, but there is still the possibility of leaving Christ out of his own birthday party. I think getting rid of our tree this year and replacing it with a manger will help that some. I also have our glass nativity set as our center piece on our table, but I will certainly be keeping this in mind through the rest of the season.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

My Anti-Santaism: Two masters?

No Santa
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Santa...

The Bible says in Luke 16:13 that no one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. So I ask who is Lord over your Christmas? Can you celebrate both Santa and the birth of Christ?

What do you look forward to each year at this time? Do you look forward to studying and celebrating the birth of Christ, or do you look forward to decorating and Christmas morning when Santa's presents are under the tree? Are you singing praises to God and to Santa? Which songs do you think are more 'fun' to sing?

What is your primary focus at this time of year? At Christmas time do you walk around telling others of Christ's birth, or do you ask what Santa is brining or what gifts people want? Are you celebrating Santa and despising that Christ want's to be the Lord of this day as well as all of the others? Are you holding out saying that Santa is great, and that Christ needs to get over Himself and share the day with someone else? Obviously you would never use those words, but is that the feeling in your heart?

Can you really serve and celebrate God and Santa at the same time? Or on this day and this season each year, will you love one and hate the other? Will you be devoted to one and despise the other, because the Bible says that we cannot serve two masters. Will you serve Christ on Christmas, or will you devote yourself to protecting Santa, to serving him, and to promoting his legacy?


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Monday, December 13, 2010

Tuesday's music


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Then Sings My Soul: update

IT FINALLY CAME!!!

Then Sings My Soul by Robert Morgan, claims to be compiled of 150 hymns and stories about their authors and origins. However, I feel that to say that is what it is would be a lie. It is a compliment of 150 songs and their stories, but they are not all hymns, or Christian Hymns. Wikipedia defines a hymn as "a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification..." America, the Beautiful is not praising a prominent figure or personified anything.. America is a country.

I most certainly would not recommend this book to anyone who was not an American with the inclusion of the patriotic songs, and I was kind of put off by the inclusion of "Good King Wenceslas". I would classify that as a catholic hymn as it is praising a Saint, not God. Other than that I loved learning some of the fun facts that go behind the songs. I didn't care too much for the layout or presentation of this book. I didn't understand the point of putting flaps like you would have on a hardback book's book cover on a paper back book...? And I thought the edging of the pages was too sharp and very inconsistent as they only did it on the one side and not the top or bottom. It made it very hard to flip to a page that I was looking for...

Disclosure of Material Connection: received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I review for BookSneeze

Breakdown:
Worldview: Biblical
Target Audience: American Catholics?
Positive Elements: Really great historical facts. I also love that the sheet music and lyrics for the songs were included.
Inappropriate Language: None
Unbiblical Content: We are supposed to praise the Creator, not creation, and while I am an American, some patriotic songs just rub me the wrong way. Weren't the early Christians martyred because they refused to praise their country or king instead of God? Why must we do exactly what they were killed for not doing?
Other Negative Elements: Just the inclusion of the songs that were not Christian hymns.

Christmas Preparations

Yesterday was the first day I did any Christmas shopping this season, and I got almost everything that I was looking for! I did have a couple of gifts here at the house that I had gotten for my mom earlier this year (and of course forgotten about... one was actually from two years ago!) One I had picked up on sale last year before Christmas (a lot before... probably shortly after mothers day...) the other I had found at a garage sale this past summer. Both had long since been forgotten, and as I sit here I am thinking I might have some books tucked away somewhere?

Anyway, even with my minute amount of pre-shopping, I found all but 2 things! I really wanted to get the girls night gowns, but nobody sells nightgowns in size 3T... My mom wondered if it was a safety issue? I dunno. I just know that I want them and can't find them. So I'm holding off until closer to Christmas to look again, and probably break down and buy them regular p.j.'s. But in the mean time I came home with lots of bags full of goodies!

I saved tons of money this year by shopping at the new Good Will store that just opened up here in town! Fabulous! And right next door is a dollar tree, so I got lot's of small, fun gifts there. Each of the kids got one nice toy, but that coupled with all of the smaller gifts and clothes will make out for a nice Christmas. I love, love, love giving to others! (So much so that I didn't leave my husband any money to buy me anything... oops, but that's okay.) I will have so much fun watching everyone open gifts Christmas morning and seeing their smiles! It is soooo much better to give than to receive!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is wrapping all of the fun things that I bought for everyone. (When I was little each year around Christmas time I aspired to be a gift wrapper at a mall. I thought it would be the funnest job EVER!) So after my shopping adventure, I got to have the joy of wrapping all of the presents! Too much fun!

I hope you all have a wonderful time shopping! The lines and crowds are quite a bit intimidating to me, but I made it through with God's help! (I only had one urge to run and hide in a corner... but the store was too crowded for me to find a corner, or to check out, so I kept shopping, lol)

I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Christmas song


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. Obviously no songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

The linky isn't working tonight... I will see if I can add it later.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Light of the World



I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. Obviously no songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Winter clothes

I have really been struggling lately with my modesty convictions. I really think it's more modest to wear dresses and skirts, than it is for me to wear pants. I realize that not everyone agrees with this, but it is where I am at. I have worn pants a few times this winter... and in all honesty they aren't very warm either. In fact, they not only let the cold penetrate to your legs, but they then hold it there. Where as skirts let the cold get to your legs, but then they trap your body heat as soon as you are somewhere warm. If they are loose skirts you can use them like blankets and warm up quickly :)

One would think that being modest and staying warm wouldn't be too hard to put together... but I am having a bit of a challenge with it. Not my tops, but my bottoms. I have been looking for leggings to wear under my skirts, but to no avail.

However today I came across a blog that had an article called Winter Skirt wearing tips and outfits, how cool is that?! She also has my same views on Santa and I have just been really enjoying her blog today!

So I am going to look for tights in addition to leggings, to get me through the winter. I'm already wearing my longer skirts, so that part isn't an issue. I hope you have a warm, happy winter! :)

Finding Funnies


Over the past 2 weeks I have found tons of funny stuff that I wanted to share with you... however, I have recently forgot most of it... so you get what stuck with me!

I need you to go to Google Maps, and click on get directions.
Type in your starting point as China, and your destination as Japan.
Once the directions have loaded, scroll down to number 41 (or, ya'know you really could read all of them... but number 41 is the most important).
Commence laughing.

This has been a Friday funny. For more Friday funnies, please visit Homesteader's Heart by clicking the link below.
Homesteader's Heart


On a side note: I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. Obviously no songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...) Here's mine for today:

Thursday, December 9, 2010

My Anti-Santaism: Distraction

No Santa

I have discussed several reasons why I don't like (to put it mildly) Santa, but one of the biggest things to me, is just the distraction he poses. If you choose to celebrate Christmas as the time of Christs birth, then all Santa does is take away from that focus.

You can try to keep Christ in Christmas, but unless Christmas is about Christ, than it really isn't His birth we're celebrating. It would be like going to the Zoo and buying hot chocolate. You might believe that the Zoo has the best hot chocolate in the world! But it obviously wasn't the focus of your trip. It was just merely a refreshment while you were there. Christmas when focused on Santa, isn't the celebration of Christ's birth, it is all about the presents that Santa brings, the looking forward to his coming, and something about a baby.

Even for those few families that some how manage to keep Christ at the center, but still include Santa, I don't see how that adds to Christ's birth. The only thing Santa can do is take away our attention from our Lord and Savior. Time that could be spent learning about the birth of Christ, is instead spent on writing letters to a man who either doesn't exist or is dead (depending on how you see it). Time that could be spent singing praises to our God and Father, is spent singing about a jolly fat man (as my husband calls him) and his raindeer. Time that could be spent looking forward to the return of Jesus someday, is spent in anticipation of parents lying to their children about someone breaking into their house and leaving them presents.

Yes, our kids get presents on Christmas morning, but they are pretty much all out when they go to bed that night. They can look forward to opening them, but they don't lose sleep in anticipation of animals on the roof. What we think about the night of Christmas is that somewhere many, many years ago a baby came into this world as a gift to us. It might not (or was not) on this particular night, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that He came for us.

Do I think that adding the Santa distraction to our holiday would be a bad thing? With every fiber of my being. If it doesn't add to our faith in Christ, what is the point? Fun? We have tons of that. Magic? The Bible says that God abhors magic. Innocence? Where is the innocence in lying?

The only thing I can conclude is that Santa takes our focus off of Christ. I can't think of a single thing he could possibly add. Santa, in my eyes, is a huge distraction for Christians who choose to celebrate Christmas.

Simple writing prompts

Mama's Losin' It

I must admit that last week I signed up to receive MamaKat's writing prompts via e-mail. I thought it would be more simple to read them in my e-mail, write my post and then read through her blog. However, since I got the e-mail on Monday, I haven't done a thing with them. In fact, I didn't even remember what they were...

What were the prompts this week? After visiting MamaKat's blog I found them. They are very simple. We are to write a blog sole from the inspiration of one of the following words:
1.) Simple.
2.) Angsty.
3.) Excruciating.
4.) Enchanted.
5.) Bold.

I thought about writing a post and and simply putting the whole thing in Bold type... And although I do think it would have been unique, I decided against it. I decided to go with #1. Simple.

Why Simple? Because I like simple. Simple is better. The more things that I add to my life, the more complex, hectic, and un-enjoyable it becomes. Simple is fun. Simple is cheap. Simple is, well, simple.

Living now a days not many things are left simple. There are just far too many choices (not that choices are bad, they just make things more complex). Life isn't as simple as just living. You have to have air to breath, food to eat, and clothes to wear.

I was thinking back to the garden of Eden. How simple life must have been before the fall. If they were hungry, they just got some food from one of the many trees around them, or from something that just grew. They didn't have to work for it. They didn't have to pay for it. It was just there. But life isn't that simple any more. If we want to eat, we must either grow it ourselves, or buy it at a store. Which means we have to set aside time to work to get money to buy the food (or the seeds and gardening tools), time to either grow the food or to go to the store to get it, and time to prepare it (or to wait while someone else does). It's just not as simple as it was back then.

If that alone wasn't complex enough, we have to add our own complexities. We add our wants on top of our needs. We add more stuff to our homes then we need, then they become cluttered and we get frustrated because it isn't very simple to keep our homes clean. Wouldn't it be simpler to sell everything we have and give to the poor. Then we wouldn't have to worry about bills, or cleaning, or any of that stuff... well, that's not that simple either. In the United States, we are not allowed to construct a shelter to stay in without a permit. So if we became homeless, we wouldn't be allowed to put a roof over our heads. We wouldn't be able to get food, because we wouldn't have a place to cook it, clean it or store it. Plus, you can't hold a decent job in America unless you can keep a clean appearance, and smell. If you didn't have a home, you wouldn't have a place to shower, shave, or wash you clothes. Being homeless and owning nothing, isn't very simple.

So what is simple? The saving grace of God. God loves everyone, it's that simple. Jesus came and died for everyone, it's that simple. If you love Him, and follow Him, you will spend eternity with Him, it's that simple. If you don't love Him or follow Him, you will spend eternity in hell...it's that simple. Yet in our complex world, we can't accept that. We try to make it more complex, but it's not. God made it very simple in His Word, that it really is that simple. Love and obey, or don't. Heaven or hell, nothing in between. It's simple. Which will you choose?

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ~ Psalm 19:7

Thankful Thursday: TWINS!


The twins turned 3 years old yesterday!!! It's amazing how time both flies, but also blends. I cannot remember life without them, but it also feels like I gave birth to them just last week.



I am so thankful that God has placed them in my life, as well as their father. I am thankful for being able to watch them grow, and I am EXTREMELY thankful that they are growing! I am thankful that they sleep through the nights now... well, most of the time. I am thankful that they are learning to talk and I'm thankful that they can walk. I am thankful for the joy that they bring to me each and every day. I'm thankful for their smiles, their hugs, and their love.


I'm also thankful for their extreme cuteness (even if they use it against me sometimes). In the above photo they had just blown out their candles. Alexa clapped and Ella just did her bashful smile. ADORABLE!


To read more thankful Thursday posts, please visit this months host, Iris, at her blog Grace Alone.

Blogging for Books


My dear friend shared in her blog about the website, Blogging for Books. It's like BookSneeze and Tyndale, only it ACTUALLY HAS BOOKS! What a concept, there were so many it took me forever to decide! So many choices! Love it!

I did finally decide to go with Radical by David Platt. It looks fantastic :)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Baby in a Manger



I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. Obviously no songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Word-filled Wednesday: Bethlehem




“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” ~ Matthew 2:6

We have been doing a lot of learning about the Christmas story around our house the past week. And one thing that just keeps sticking with me is the way God didn't use anything that was 'great'. He picked a small town that people considered unimportant, and He picked a seemingly random young girl. It has really just been making me stop to think about what things I see as unimportant, that God might just use for something extraordinary. The entire town of Bethlehem missed the birth of Christ. They were all there, but no one took notice. What kinds of things are right before me that I am missing?


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. Obviously no songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

My Anti-Santaism: Saint Nicholas

No Santa
Image by Oren neu dag [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

The strongest reason I have heard for why people celebrate Santa, is Saint Nicholas. This will probably touch some nerves, but I must ask if anyone out there thinks that the way we celebrate Santa today really honors St. Nicholas? Do you think he would be pleased with what we have turned him into? If I were him, and I had started the tradition of giving to others and people turned it into worshiping me and writing me with a list of their wants, I would not be happy.

Do you think that the goal of Saint Nicholas was to take the focus away from Jesus, and put it onto himself? Do you think that he would be pleased with us reversing his teachings and having people send him lists of the things he desired? This is the man who sold all that he had and gave it to the poor. He gave EVERYTHING he had, how used and abused would he have felt if someone had sent him a letter of their wants. Don’t you think that he had wants? I’m sure he did, but he laid it all aside to serve God and give to others. The Santa tradition has taken his love and generosity and commercialized it, and I do not think he would be please at all. In fact, if he were still living, it might possibly be reason enough for him to at the very least stop giving, and possibly even regret starting the whole thing at all.

I also want to mention where Saint Nicholas is from. He was from the town that was biblically known as Smyrna. In Revelation 2 Jesus said that He knew them and while they were poor, they were rich. Smyrna was a poor town financially, but they were rich spiritually. I picture Saint Nicholas like the rich young ruler that Jesus addressed in Luke 18:18-30, only Nicholas actually followed through and sold all that he had. Saint Nicholas probably understood Proverbs 10:22 better than anyone we know. He understood that it wasn’t material items that he needed, but the blessing of God. He probably wanted to be counted among the poor of this earth, and rich in his faith and an heir of the kingdom of heaven (James 2:5). He was following Christ’s lead by becoming poor by choice, so that he could give to others (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Saint Nicholas knew what Spiritual riches were. They don’t tarnish, break, or decay. They can’t be lost or stolen. Which is the exact opposite of earthly riches, that we are told in Proverbs 23:5 can grow wings and be gone. I can see Saint Nicholas echoing Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-11

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.


Saint Nicholas, didn't do anything to glorify himself, but to glorify God. How opposite has the legend of him become. The Santa that we teach kids about, never sold all that he had to give to the poor. In fact, he owns an entire town located at the North Pole. He doesn’t care if someone is rich or poor, he focuses on good or bad. He has no desire to share the love of Christ with others, or for anything spiritual. He only cares about toys for kids… the good kids, his entire life revolves around toys. He doesn’t care if you believe in Christ, only that you believe in him. I can’t imagine looking Saint Nicholas in the eyes and telling him that we remember him with Santa. Can you?

Do I think that remembering Saint Nicholas at this time of the year is wrong? Not at all, my kids know about him. But we keep our focus on Christ. There is one family in my church that participate in a Saint Nicholas party each year, that I think is FANTASTIC! They choose a family that has less than they, and then buy them tons of food, presents and such. The night of Christmas Eve they have a party, wrap presents, sing songs, and just enjoy themselves. Afterwards, once it is dark out they drive over to the selected families house and doorbell ditch the presents onto their porch. They never tell who they are; they just do it to bless others. What a wonderful way to remember Saint Nicholas. This is exactly the way I would want to be remembered if I were him. Not by having people write me lists and lie about who I am or what I stand for. Not lying to people about where I live, or what my house looks like.

I should also add that Saint Nicholas day is actually December 6th. So if I were to celebrate Saint Nicholas, I would probably want to do so on that day, instead of removing the focus from the day we celebrate my Saviors birth… It’s something to think about for next year I guess.

What about you? Do you do something special to remember the REAL Saint Nicholas?

My Anti-Santaism: Praise and Worship

No Santa
Image by Oren neu dag [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

This is another topic that is very sensitive to me. The second commandment tells us not to have idols, yet that is exactly what Santa is. He is the idol of Christmas. People send their requests to him instead of God. People sing the praises of his name, and people line up for their chance to see him going so far as to wait in the cold for hours for their 5 minutes of his time. People decorate their homes and yards with his image. Then they wait while he ‘visits’ them at night, hoping that they found favor in his eyes. If that isn’t idolatry I don’t know what would be.

Exodus 34:14 says Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. How are we suppose to worship God? In prayer and in song. Yet come Christmas time, the time that has been set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we submit our requests to someone who is not God, and then we sing praises to him and about him. We even sing that he will hear us (Jolly old St. Nicholas lean your ear this way…). We sing about his appearance (Must be Santa) and we sing about pleasing him (Santa Claus is coming to town).

Most people devote more time and money to presents and decorations than they give to charity or church throughout the entire year. In Luke 16 verse 13 says “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Do you give more money to God or to Santa? Has Santa became an idol that is stealing time, money and praises from God?



I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. ~ Psalm 69:30

My praises will go to God, my thanks will go to Him, and I will glorify Him, not the idol that Santa has become.


I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. Obviously no songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

Monday, December 6, 2010

Book Sneeze update

After deciding that my last book was lost in the mail, I found a copy elsewhere and wrote my review based off of it...

BookSneeze currently has some AMAZING books. It took me forever to decided between 'Slave' by John McArthur and 'The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible NKJV' by Max Lucado. Max Lucado is probably my all time favorite Christian author, but I am not fond of the KJV Bible. While I know the NKJV is different, I'm still not sure it's what I want to read... If they still have it in a month when I have hopefully received 'Slave' and had the chance to read it, I will probably request it. Otherwise, I might ask for the NCV version of it for my birthday in January. :)

I review for BookSneeze

Then Sings My Soul

Then Sings My Soul by Robert Morgan, claims to be compiled of 150 hymns and stories about their authors and origins. However, I feel that to say that is what it is would be a lie. It is a compliment of 150 songs and their stories, but they are not all hymns, or Christian Hymns.

I most certainly would not recommend this book to anyone who was not an American with the inclusion of the patriotic songs, but overall it was a really good book. I loved learning some of the fun facts that go behind the songs. The book itself is beautiful, and I really liked the layout and presentation of it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am supposed to receive this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. But it never arrived (I’m hoping it will eventually, but I am writing my review from a copy I found elsewhere). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I review for BookSneeze

Breakdown:
Worldview: Biblical
Target Audience: American Catholics?
Positive Elements: Really great historical facts. I also love that the sheet music and lyrics for the songs were included.
Inappropriate Language: None
Unbiblical Content: We are supposed to praise the Creator, not creation, and while I am an American, some patriotic songs just rub me the wrong way. Weren't the early Christians martyred because they refused to praise their country or king instead of God? Why must we do exactly what they were killed for not doing?
Other Negative Elements: Just the inclusion of the songs that were not Christian hymns.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

The First Noel



I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

My Anti-Santaism: Santa's Teachings

No Santa
Image by Oren neu dag [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons.

My Anti-Santaism is also growing because of what Santa teaches. I have a BIG problem with the message he sends to kids. Most people would say that Santa stands for joy; that his main goal is to bring happiness to children. To me that teaches children that joy and happiness comes from material items. I would guess that 99% of children ask Santa for tangible things, objects that will be used, discarded, and forgotten. The other 1% ask Santa for things that he cannot possibly provide. He can’t bring peace on earth, save a dying loved one, or bring a child the love that they long for.

Acts 20:35b says ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Santa teaches the opposite of that. Every year children (accompanied by their parents) line up and wait for their turn to tell Santa what they want to receive that year. They write him letters asking for the gifts they are hoping to be given. In return they might leave him cookies, and they of course watch their parents give a few gifts to others.

Matthew 7:7-8 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. We are suppose to ask God for things, not Santa. The Bible also says in John 14 that we are suppose to ask for things in the name of Jesus (vs 13). Jesus said that if we ask for things in His name, they will be given to us to glorify the Father through Him. However, the Bible doesn't stop there. It tells us in James 4:3 that When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Isn't that what we do with Santa? We ask for things for our own pleasure?

Not only is Santa teaching us that joy and happiness is something that can be bought, he is also teaching us to ask with the wrong motives. Santa teaches selfishness. He teaches us to make lists of the things we desire. Doesn't the Bible tells us to be content with what we have, and not to covet. We shouldn't be teaching others to covet the things in the store by making lists and telling everyone what they "want".

The other day someone told me that her mom taught her that God was Santa. That God provides for the money to buy presents, therefore He is Santa. I have a huge issue with that. If God is something is should be reversible (please let me know if you disagree).

God is God the Father/God the Father is God
God is Jesus/Jesus is God
God is the Holy Spirit/the Holy Spirit is God
God is Santa/Santa is God?! NOOOO!!!! That's blasphemy! God is triune, not quadruple.

God isn't Santa. God teaches the opposite of Santa. God teaches us to put others before ourselves, not to want/covet, but to be thankful for what we have. God teaches us that it is better to give than to receive. Is Santa God? Absolutely not.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Breath of Heaven



I would love for you to join me by posting your favorite Christ centered Christmas song. My personal goal is to post a different Christ-centered Christmas song each day between now and Christmas. (The only rule is that it has to be Christ-centered. No songs about Santa, Christmas trees or whatever...)

My Anti-Santaism: The Counterfeit Christ


Image by Oren neu dag [CC-BY-SA-3.0]

This is post number 3 in my Anti-Santaism series. You can read the introduction post by clicking here.

In my last post, The Beginning, I wrote about where my Anti-Santaism started. However, leaving it at that isn't fair. That is where it started, and where it stayed for years. Even after becoming a Christian it stayed there for quite some time, but then it started to become more. It wasn't just about being a good mom and an honest person anymore, there was a spiritual side to it... a big spiritual side.

I started meeting other Christian moms who didn't 'do' Santa because they didn't want to loose their kids trust. They thought that if they lied about Santa that when their kids found out they would doubt the reality of Christ as well. Some of them thought this way, because their parents had lied to them about Santa and they had trouble believing in Christ after they found out. Other parents didn't 'do' Santa because they acknowledged that lying was a sin. This related more to me, but I understood both sides.

Last year it was introduced to me that Santa was a counterfeit Christ (you can google "Santa the Counterfeit Christ" and find all kind of information about this). I listened to a sermon by James Knox, and it was extremely harsh. So I recreated a friendlier version of it. I thought I would share it with you:

Have you ever stopped to think about how similar Jesus and Santa are? Many people have noted similarities, but I never realized just how similar they were. First I want to look at their ages. How old is Santa? If you listen to the stories parents tell their children he has been around forever, not only that, but he will NEVER die. Hmmm. Let’s see what the Bible says about Jesus:

Revelation 1:8 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

So the Bible says that Jesus has been since the beginning, and always will be. I also want to make a quick note of the fact that Jesus is called the Everlasting Father… Santa is called Father Christmas and supposedly lives forever, but what about Santa living forever? The Bible says in Romans 5 that sin leads to death and all men die.

Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned

So according to the Bible, Santa can’t live forever because he is a sinner just like everyone else. (See also Romans 3:23)

The Bible also tells us that if we want something or need something that we should ask God for it.

Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 7:7 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

God wants us to pray to Him, not write lists to people that aren’t real. There is also a scripture that says if we ask and do not receive then we are asking with the wrong motives. (James 4:3) I have to wonder what the motivation behind writing a wish list to Santa is? (More on this in my next post)

The next thing I want to look at is the fact that Santa can see us all the time. He sees us when we’re sleeping and knows when we’re awake. He watches over little kids all year round. Let’s look at Scripture:

Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Psalm 33:13-14- From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth

Psalm 33:18 - But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,

2 Chronicles 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

Psalm 139:11-12 - If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

The Bible tells us that God can see us when we are sleeping, and when we are awake. He can see all of mankind, and watches over us always. Which leads me to my next point. Where does He watch over us from?

Hebrews 12:22 - But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

Psalm 48:1-2 - Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (KJV)

Psalm 75:6 - No one from the east or the west or from the desert (south) can exalt a man.

So God watches over us from the North. Where does Santa live? That’s right, the North Pole. There are just so many similarities!

John 12:12-13 - The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!"


Mark 13:26 - "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

People have long anticipated the coming of Christ. When He lived on earth people lined up to see Him, and now we are anxiously awaiting His return. Every year in December, (and longer for some) people anxiously await the return of Santa. They line up in department stores to sit on his lap or get pictures with him; they line streets to see him at that end of the parades. They sing about him while they wait… Sound familiar?

Another thing that they have in common is mentioned in Revelation 20. Verse 12 says, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” And then if you look at verse 15 it reads, “If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

God and Santa are both making lists. Both are based off of what we have done. Santa’s myth says that if we are naughty then we won’t get anything for Christmas. God says that we all fall short the glory of God, but with Christ’s blood covering us we will be forgiven. Other wise we will be thrown into the lake of fire. In both cases they are the judge, you can’t call Santa Christmas morning and petition because you didn’t get what you wanted, and you most certainly have no hope after you have been thrown into the lake of fire.

On the other side of that, if you are found favored you will receive gifts.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Revelation 22:12 - Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

1 Corinthians 3:14 - If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.

These verses are similar to the ones that we have already looked at. Longing for the return of Jesus, but also receiving gifts based on what we have done…

1 Thessalonians 5:2 – for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

2 Peter 3:8 - But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

When does Santa come? At night. You don’t hear him coming, you don’t see him coming, but he comes and is gone before anyone ever knows. Kind of like a thief… Not only that, but in one night he visits every house with children in the world. How is that possible? Many believe that he lives outside of normal time.
How does Santa get into our homes? When we go to bed we lock the doors and close the windows, and many homes do not have fireplaces. I know another man that can enter a place that is locked up tight.

John 20:19 - On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

Another little known fact is how similar the two are in appearance. Let’s look at what the Bible says Jesus will look like when He returns.

Revelation 1:14 - His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire.

Isaiah 50:6 - I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

Isaiah 63:1-2 - Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with His garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of His strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save." Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?

What does Santa look like? He has white hair with a beard and wears red.

Look at all of those similarities! But there are still more! The last one I want to look at is kind of two put together.

Matthew 19:14 - Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

1 John 3:2 - Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Jesus wants the children to come to Him, to accept Him. Who does Santa target? Then the Bible tells us:

John 9:38 - Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped Him.

Mark 16:15 - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

We are supposed to go into the world and share Christ. Many of us have a hard time with that, but when it comes to Santa, we have no problem being a disciple for him. We dress up like him, and make sure not to damage his image. We tell stories about him and sing about him, and to him. In a way it is like worshiping him. How do you think God feels about that?

Exodus 20:2-4 - "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

2 Corinthians 11:2 - I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him.

Our God is a jealous God! He doesn’t want to share us with Santa. He designed us to love Him. To give our devotion to Him, but what do we do?

Romans 1:25 - They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Santa is a created thing, a lie. Jesus is the truth, and will be forever. What will you do with that truth?

...as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15