You're not going to like me for this one, BUT, I don't write these for you to like me. Well, let's get to it.
You can find him in any mall prior to Christmas, sitting on his throne while lines of children wait just to sit on his lap and be judged; "have you been a good little boy..." This jolly old man, his head and beard as white as snow, that rides in a sleigh, pulled by reindeer, giving presents to good little boys and girls if their name is in his book. All with the help of Santa's elves. Just fun fantasy you say?
Before we dive into the above paragraph, let's look at the two most common responses from "Christians".
First: That Santa comes from the Catholic Bishop Saint Nicholas. By the 1500s, the St Nicholas legend had grown in France and Germany. The Christmas Almanack writes: "By the height of the Middle Ages, St. Nicholas was probably invoked in prayer more than any other figure except the Virgin Mary and Christ Himself."
The St. Nicholas legend has many miraculous stories to include resurrections of dead children, rescues of poverty-stricken girls, and giving gifts to poor children which is why he is called the Patron Saint of Children.
There is little to no evidence of the actual existence of a person named St Nicholas. 99 Encyclopedia Britannica: Nicholas' existence is not attested by any historical document, so nothing certain is known of his life except that he was probably bishop of Myra in the fourth century. . .
The Christmas Almanack records; Unfortunately, very little is known about the real St. Nicholas. Countless legends have grown up around this very popular saint, but very little historical evidence is available.
Encarta Encyclopedia; Nicholas, Saint (lived the 4th century), Christian prelate, patron saint of Russia, traditionally associated with Christmas celebrations. The accounts of his life are confusing and historically unconfirmed.
Finally, in 1969 Pope Paul VI, "because the saint's life is so unreliably documented", had the feast of Saint Nicholas dropped from the official Roman Catholic! Even if there was a St Nicholas, God is a jealous God; Exodus 34:14 NLT; "You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you. He shares himself with no one!
Second: That the real name of Santa is Kriss Kringle? Kriss Kringle means "Little Christ Child" in German? This means that Santa is a COUNTERFEIT! Kriss Kringle is not The Christ Child and Jesus is not a baby, but the King of Kings!
Ernie, please don't let the truth interfere with my presuppositions, you Scrooge!
Stay tuned for Santa Exposed: Part II, where we will attack that first paragraph...
You can find him in any mall prior to Christmas, sitting on his throne while lines of children wait just to sit on his lap and be judged; "have you been a good little boy..." This jolly old man, his head and beard as white as snow, that rides in a sleigh, pulled by reindeer, giving presents to good little boys and girls if their name is in his book. All with the help of Santa's elves. Just fun fantasy you say?
Before we dive into the above paragraph, let's look at the two most common responses from "Christians".
First: That Santa comes from the Catholic Bishop Saint Nicholas. By the 1500s, the St Nicholas legend had grown in France and Germany. The Christmas Almanack writes: "By the height of the Middle Ages, St. Nicholas was probably invoked in prayer more than any other figure except the Virgin Mary and Christ Himself."
The St. Nicholas legend has many miraculous stories to include resurrections of dead children, rescues of poverty-stricken girls, and giving gifts to poor children which is why he is called the Patron Saint of Children.
There is little to no evidence of the actual existence of a person named St Nicholas. 99 Encyclopedia Britannica: Nicholas' existence is not attested by any historical document, so nothing certain is known of his life except that he was probably bishop of Myra in the fourth century. . .
The Christmas Almanack records; Unfortunately, very little is known about the real St. Nicholas. Countless legends have grown up around this very popular saint, but very little historical evidence is available.Encarta Encyclopedia; Nicholas, Saint (lived the 4th century), Christian prelate, patron saint of Russia, traditionally associated with Christmas celebrations. The accounts of his life are confusing and historically unconfirmed.
Finally, in 1969 Pope Paul VI, "because the saint's life is so unreliably documented", had the feast of Saint Nicholas dropped from the official Roman Catholic! Even if there was a St Nicholas, God is a jealous God; Exodus 34:14 NLT; "You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you. He shares himself with no one!
Second: That the real name of Santa is Kriss Kringle? Kriss Kringle means "Little Christ Child" in German? This means that Santa is a COUNTERFEIT! Kriss Kringle is not The Christ Child and Jesus is not a baby, but the King of Kings!
Ernie, please don't let the truth interfere with my presuppositions, you Scrooge!
Stay tuned for Santa Exposed: Part II, where we will attack that first paragraph...
Blessings
ernie
