So, I sat listening to the radio this evening to a speaker who ranted about the negative impact Santa Claus has on our culture. I'm not sure how grown-ups believe that a fictional character has power...Mind you, this speaker sounded like the teacher on Charlie Brown...negative, nasally sounding, rant that no one wants to hear...
I for one am sick and tired of hearing what Christians are against! I can't for one minute believe that such negativity has a positive spiritual impact on our society! A religious "clanging cymbal" never does. I don't want to hear any more, "If you want your children to love Jesus, you shouldn't encourage the belief in Santa." I don't want to hear anyone's list of don't's. Even if your motives are pure, I don't want to hear nicey nicey little sayings about the importance of always making Jesus your Lord. Pardon my cynicism, please, and bear with me a few moments to continue....
Aren't we all much more inspired when we hear the genuine stories about what God has done in someone's life! The soap boxes: they may be based on a valid agenda; they may come from good will. However, what truly inspires others is a genuine openness about our own brokenness and what God has done in our own lives. Tell my kids how Jesus walked with you through deep valleys or healed your hurting heart or provided when there was no way. Tell them how your faith struggles at times and how thankful you are that your walk with God is dependent on Him, not you.
If we must get on our soap boxes, let's at least inspire with positive energy:
Instead of toting that we are against abortion; let's tote that we are FOR life.
Instead of ranting that we are against pornography; let's research and speak of the painlessness of sexual purity.
Here's an extreme one: Instead of preaching that we are AGAINST legalism, let's start showing that we are FOR the beautiful grace of Jesus. Legalism is not a list of rules; it is an idolatrous attitude that says, "I can earn God's favor, despite the fact that it's freely given". At it's extreme, legalism is an attitude that says, "I can earn more of God's favor that you have earned". Your value does not come from how good you are; if you think it does, you are living in idolatry. It comes from Jesus and only from Jesus. So if you live a conservative life, do so because you feel inspired to, not because you feel obligated to or because you think it makes you a "good Christian". If you live a liberal life, do so because you care about justice and equality, instead of assuming that those with a more conservative mind set are just selfish or greedy.
So, let's start being positive and cheerful. The fruit of the spirit is not the Charlie Brown teacher!
And for heaven's sake! The wonder of make-believe only lasts for a very limited number of years. Let children have Santa Claus!
