Christmas
The Nativity story and the modern story of Santa Claus.
12/21/10 12:24
How are we to look at the Nativity story? Or the miracles of Jesus and the Apostles? How we
respond to these things highlights the rudiments of our perspective. When faced with truth and the Bible we have two options facing how we respond. We can embrace the mystery of the supernatural nature of God, and derive a theological approach to our daily lives. Or, we can discount the miracles with scientific explanations or some sort of narrative argument of allegorical content. I recently saw this situation play out on two television shows, and while some of the content was humorous the overarching themes were disturbing at best. Both shows, written by the same author, addressed the existence of Santa Claus. Just so you don't think I'm reading too much into modern entertainment I'm going to explain how the Santa Claus myth addresses this issue of a transcendent or theological view. First and foremost let's start with where he lives. The modern story of Santa Claus places him at the North Pole, the very top of the world. What we can glean from this is that Santa, in many ways, exists over and above the normal human existence. He also is apparently not constrained by time and space. Delivering gifts to the entire world population during the course of a single night is a superhuman feat to say the least. As an aside, I don't think we should overlook the tie to the nativity therein. But let's avoid that rabbit trail for now. What are people to do with this story?
Here's what the author did. He began with the doubt of his characters. We live in a modern,
technologically advanced society, so obviously none of the characters even gave Santa's existence credence outside of the normal holiday tradition. But, during the course of both shows Santa's existence is revealed to be truthful, but something was very wrong in the substance of the revelation. In one show, Santa was an ill, overworked sweat-shop manager. Forced to embrace terrible things in order to keep the whole modern Christmas tradition running. In the second show Santa was portrayed as a superhuman menace, commanding a mythical army on a mission to vengefully exterminate the main characters. In short the author looked that the myth of Santa Claus and said very clearly that it was unlikely. But if such a man did exist he would just be a larger sort of sinful man, and, as such would either fail, or terrify those who met him. What do you think this writer thinks of God, and the Bible?
On the one hand I was angered, and frustrated by what this guy had chosen to portray, but intrigued as well. Because, in the midst of his cynicism, he was highlighting my own and that of the greater Christian culture. After watching what he had to offer I despaired of his salvation. Basically thinking that he was beyond the reach of the God I affirm as all-powerful, and omnipresent. It's ironic that when faced with his mockery of supernatural-ism; I responded by doubting God's supernatural power to change his heart. Our frustration often leads us to disregard people who lash out like that, but beyond the crass humor and sarcasm there lies a truly hurt individual. Likely one who has never heard the full Gospel. In this man's despair he turned everything into a locker room joke, because at some point he could find nothing better to do with his pain. Where was the Church when his life fell apart?
At some point we have to look at the Nativity and fully embrace it's significance with all it's
conviction and difficulty. The perfect, holy, sinless son of God condescended to embrace the full state of man and his sin so he could die in our place, and at our hands. In turn, we Christians bear the same sort of calling. Having the gift of the Holy Spirit in us, the Church is, in a sense, Emmanuel. God with us. I don't want this to be a evangelistic guilt trip, but more a stirring of trust of Christ's victory, and hope for his plan for the world. When we despair of this writer's salvation, we join him in his sin. But when we love him in spite of it, we bring the triumph of Grace to bear on his life.
Matt Allhands, Collegiate Ministries Intern
Cascade Presbyterian Church
541.343.5538
mallhands@cascadepca.org
respond to these things highlights the rudiments of our perspective. When faced with truth and the Bible we have two options facing how we respond. We can embrace the mystery of the supernatural nature of God, and derive a theological approach to our daily lives. Or, we can discount the miracles with scientific explanations or some sort of narrative argument of allegorical content. I recently saw this situation play out on two television shows, and while some of the content was humorous the overarching themes were disturbing at best. Both shows, written by the same author, addressed the existence of Santa Claus. Just so you don't think I'm reading too much into modern entertainment I'm going to explain how the Santa Claus myth addresses this issue of a transcendent or theological view. First and foremost let's start with where he lives. The modern story of Santa Claus places him at the North Pole, the very top of the world. What we can glean from this is that Santa, in many ways, exists over and above the normal human existence. He also is apparently not constrained by time and space. Delivering gifts to the entire world population during the course of a single night is a superhuman feat to say the least. As an aside, I don't think we should overlook the tie to the nativity therein. But let's avoid that rabbit trail for now. What are people to do with this story?
Here's what the author did. He began with the doubt of his characters. We live in a modern,
technologically advanced society, so obviously none of the characters even gave Santa's existence credence outside of the normal holiday tradition. But, during the course of both shows Santa's existence is revealed to be truthful, but something was very wrong in the substance of the revelation. In one show, Santa was an ill, overworked sweat-shop manager. Forced to embrace terrible things in order to keep the whole modern Christmas tradition running. In the second show Santa was portrayed as a superhuman menace, commanding a mythical army on a mission to vengefully exterminate the main characters. In short the author looked that the myth of Santa Claus and said very clearly that it was unlikely. But if such a man did exist he would just be a larger sort of sinful man, and, as such would either fail, or terrify those who met him. What do you think this writer thinks of God, and the Bible?
On the one hand I was angered, and frustrated by what this guy had chosen to portray, but intrigued as well. Because, in the midst of his cynicism, he was highlighting my own and that of the greater Christian culture. After watching what he had to offer I despaired of his salvation. Basically thinking that he was beyond the reach of the God I affirm as all-powerful, and omnipresent. It's ironic that when faced with his mockery of supernatural-ism; I responded by doubting God's supernatural power to change his heart. Our frustration often leads us to disregard people who lash out like that, but beyond the crass humor and sarcasm there lies a truly hurt individual. Likely one who has never heard the full Gospel. In this man's despair he turned everything into a locker room joke, because at some point he could find nothing better to do with his pain. Where was the Church when his life fell apart?
At some point we have to look at the Nativity and fully embrace it's significance with all it's
conviction and difficulty. The perfect, holy, sinless son of God condescended to embrace the full state of man and his sin so he could die in our place, and at our hands. In turn, we Christians bear the same sort of calling. Having the gift of the Holy Spirit in us, the Church is, in a sense, Emmanuel. God with us. I don't want this to be a evangelistic guilt trip, but more a stirring of trust of Christ's victory, and hope for his plan for the world. When we despair of this writer's salvation, we join him in his sin. But when we love him in spite of it, we bring the triumph of Grace to bear on his life.
Matt Allhands, Collegiate Ministries Intern
Cascade Presbyterian Church
541.343.5538
mallhands@cascadepca.org