Why Jesus Is Better than Santa Claus

santa

used by permission www.pexels.com

I know a lot of people who are struggling in many ways during this Christmas season.  Several are experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one.  Others struggle under the burden of a busier than normal schedule.  There is the pressure of attending special events, juggling the demand to visit pockets of family scattered here and yon.  We stress over selecting the perfect Santa gift for each person on a bottomless Christmas list. Moreover, we struggle to find creative ways to stretch an already overextended budget.

Through the “Santa Claus” ritual, we expose our children to the pressure of behaving to please a fictional character.  Why would we call a man a saint who would stalk little children? After all, he meticulously keeps and checks a list of every good and bad deed and thought they have? We pressure ourselves to conform to others’ demands on our time and finances.

Better Than Santa

I know I sound a little like the second coming of Ebenezer Scrooge. However, let me remind you that Christmas was never intended to be about demands on us.  Christmas is not about us at all, it is about Jesus.  It is not about what we do, but a reminder of what He has done.  Christmas is not about performance, it is about GRACE.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.   John 1:14, 16

Do not judge this Christmas by your ability to meet someone else’s demands. Also do not grade your Christmas by your success at making someone else happy.  Judge this Christmas . . . and EVERY DAY . . . by the price tag God places on you.  To Him, you are worth Him sending His Son to die for you. From Him we receive not just a “little dab” of grace, but we receive grace upon grace…stacked up…piled high…sufficient grace, and then some.  Click this link to see how you can experience this kind of grace.

This Christmas remember that YOU are the Son of God’s gift to His Heavenly Father.

Jesus Sat Down, So You Can Too

Jesus sat

Sitting down can be a good thing.

I had to move some furniture around the other day and sitting became my friend. Thankfully, my friend and experienced hard worker, Randy Toney, was there to make it possible. We moved my daughter’s old bedroom furniture to the church for our yard sale. Then we moved the furniture from my mom’s guest room to my daughter’s bedroom.

After loading up the “new” furniture, we decided it was time for a lunch break at Chick-fil-A. I have never sat and eaten so slowly. I needed that sit down. In fact, I found it difficult to get back to work after sitting for lunch.

We finally unloaded and set up the furniture. I didn’t mention that we also moved a large TV to our house. Our TV from our den went to my daughter’s bedroom, and her TV went to our bedroom. So after unloading the furniture, I set up everyone’s TV and took the best shower I have ever had.

After enjoying a delicious meal at our friends, The Griffins’ house, I went on to church for a committee meeting. I finally got back home and was able to sit down…really sit down. This time, I sat because I was finished with all I had to do for the day.

Where Jesus Sat Down

Read More

Sunday Sermon – Life Is How You View It

We are faced today with two competing worldviews, two ways to view and interpret the realities around us and ascribe value and priorities to the days that lie ahead.

The meaning, purpose, and value of life comes into sharper focus when we view it through the lenses of a proper worldview.

 

Worldview #1 – The CHRIST-CENTERED Worldview

– based on a Relationship with Jesus
– is constantly growing in this relationship (John 3:30 – He must increase…)
– does not waver in commitment to Jesus – established

Worldview #2 – The SECULAR Worldview

– Pseudo-intellectual
– Man- Centered
– Devil-Driven

The Christian worldview is superior because Jesus has given us:

– full salvation
– total forgiveness
– ultimate victory

 

10 Ways Jesus Is Better Than the Super Bowl

1. Broncos and Seahawks are created animals.  Jesus is the Creator.

2. Super Bowl Teams need 15 break at halftime to rest.  Jesus never sleeps or slumbers.

3. Super bowl features different teams and players each year. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

4. Super Bowl refs call penalties and take off yardage. Jesus offers grace and forgiveness

5. Boring announcers bring you the Super Bowl. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus.

6. Super Bowl includes entertaining commercials encouraging us to spend money.  Jesus offers eternal rewards for
investing ourselves.

7. Super Bowl halftime show ignorantly glorifies sin.  Jesus offers victory over sin.

8. Super Bowl lasts 60 minutes.  Jesus is eternal.

9. Super Bowl played in New York.  Jesus is on the Throne of Heaven.

10. Super Bowl results in a winner and loser.  Everyone who comes to Jesus is a winner.

Feel free to add your own in the comments section below.