Tuesday; December 24 ...

          I like the Christmas season, but I think we have to be cautious in our approach to what we choose to observe.  While I don’t know that Jesus was born on December 25 I am not going to criticize someone who takes this time to honor the arrival of Jesus on the earth.  By contrast, I will not take issue with those who promote the concept that this is a time of year filled with gift-giving and receiving (and even the presence of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve).  In essence, I believe there is enough joy and good will to go around no matter how you choose to celebrate the day.  However, there is one thing that I think must be understood – even if the presence of Santa Claus is a positive, we must remember that there is a difference between him and the Son of God.  Jesus is real.  He is the Son of God born amid miraculous circumstances who grew up to live a perfect life, die a sacrificial death and be raised again to ascend to a heavenly throne.  The certainty of Jesus is found in the Bible, the image of Santa Claus is found on a Coke can.  Santa is a fun caricature ... Jesus is the Living Christ.
          I hope everyone has a great Christmas – no matter how you honor it.  Even if you choose not to celebrate the day, I hope you have a great Wednesday (and hopefully a day off of work with friends and family).  Christmas is a fun day ... let’s just remember to keep fact and fiction in their proper places.
          Think About It!

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