Santa was a Pastor
The other day I was at the mall with my daughter and we were walking by the booth where “Santa” was present, ready, and willing to take your money in exchange for a picture with him. I hadn’t really given a whole lot of thought yet to what our approach was going to be in our home regarding Santa.
But my daughter made that a little easier for us.
As we were walking by the Santa center, my daughter stopped, froze her step, and in her pause stared in confusion at the whole hoobala…Santa, his big chair, some elves, reindeer, candy canes and the whole bit. I thought I’d try and help and clarify for her so I said, “that’s Santa sweetie.” That only made things worse because then she said, “Santa scares me daddy.” I was sort of dumbfounded at how to reply so I just said, “Well you don’t have to be scared honey, because Santa was a pastor just like daddy.” To which she then said, “hug daddy, hug” and she grabbed on to me real tight.
I don’t think she really understood at all, how could she. And as I’ve thought about it more, I’m not sure I do either. Sometimes words just come out of your own mouth without giving them a whole lot of thought that actually bring out something very important. What’s the whole deal with Santa and how should we approach him?
Advent – Week 4 | The Angels Candle: Peace
This is the fourth week of Advent, the Angels Candle dealing with the theme of joy. This year’s text is Luke 1:26-38 and deals with the subjects of the name of Jesus, the title Son of God, and the kingship of Jesus who brings peace. This sermon was originally preached December 21st, 2008 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
Advent – Week 3 | The Shepherds Candle: Joy
This is the third week of Advent, the Shepherds Candle dealing with the theme of joy. This year’s text is Luke 2:8-20 and deals with the subjects of the nature of shepherds, angels, fear, and the joy Jesus brings. This sermon was originally preached December 14th, 2008 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.
What is Advent?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus, which is a translation of the Biblical Greek word parousia, meaning “coming” “arrival” or “appearing.” Out of the 24 times it occurs in the New Testament, only one of those actually refers to the incarnation or birth of the God-man: Jesus, on earth (2 Pet 1:16). The majority of all the other occurrences refer to the time when Jesus promised he will come once again to earth, a second advent or coming when he will not come as a baby, poor and lowly but as a powerful king full of glory.
Thus interestingly, the Christian season of advent is really a season which anticipates and looks forward to the future day when Jesus will come again. The first coming birth of Jesus is only significant in so far as Jesus isn’t just a figment of our imagination but in fact a real person who is alive because he conquered death and is now currently sitting on a throne as the victorious king awaiting the appointed day when he will advent once again for all his people. To say it in a fancy way, the birth of Jesus is elliptical and eschatological and therefore the celebration of Advent is really a celebration of the reality of the Christian faith and the longing for the appearing of Jesus once again for us.
