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I'm not against Santa, but I purposefully placed him next to the crèche. Granted, he wouldn't have stood up had he not been leaning on the stable, however, Santa Claus and his spirit of giving must be placed in the context of the crèche.
Santa gives based on our goodness.
God gives based on his goodness.
"For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare to die--but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:7-8 English Standard Version
The story of Santa has developed into a story about our human nature that sees love as conditional. Our human nature keeps a list of naughty and nice things that others have done to us. According to our humanness, we love others based on which side of the list has the most check marks.
God's love for us is based on his goodness toward us. He gives us his Son when we don't deserve the gift. He grants us forgiveness when we deserve his punishment. He lifts our head when we deserve to wallow in shame.
God's gift of his Son is pure grace for you and me. When we understand this gift we can truly laugh with Santa a gut busting, hardy "ho, ho, ho."
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Santa gives based on our goodness.
God gives based on his goodness.
"For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare to die--but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:7-8 English Standard Version
The story of Santa has developed into a story about our human nature that sees love as conditional. Our human nature keeps a list of naughty and nice things that others have done to us. According to our humanness, we love others based on which side of the list has the most check marks.
God's love for us is based on his goodness toward us. He gives us his Son when we don't deserve the gift. He grants us forgiveness when we deserve his punishment. He lifts our head when we deserve to wallow in shame.
God's gift of his Son is pure grace for you and me. When we understand this gift we can truly laugh with Santa a gut busting, hardy "ho, ho, ho."
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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