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Featured Santa Claus in Church?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Moby Noah, Jan 10, 2013.

  1. Moby Noah

    Moby Noah New Member

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    Dear Sir,
    Santa Claus is never part of the Bible, yet during Christmas Santa do appear in the church Christmas play or Cantata. Is this acceptable and I struggle with this issue.
    Thank you.

    Moby Noah
     
  2. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    No, not if your truly Christian.....but the local RC church down the block has Breakfast with Santa & the local Methodist church has a visit from the Easter Bunny. Personally Id prefer that stuff be kept in the local shopping malls.
     
  3. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    Nothing wrong with a Santa in the Church Community. Only the little kids are turned on by the excitement so there's no problem. The question would be..., where's the harm? As all churches are far from perfect there's no point in trying to make them perfect as in the process..., people will pack up and move on. We're only human saved by the Grace of God!
     
  4. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    There are lots of things that aren't in the Bible that are part of our regular worship and church activities. If you want Santa around he's not a threat to your orthodoxy.
     
  5. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    The only time we have Santa is when we do our staff Christmas party and it's usually a funny time where he does something crazy. One year it was an Elvis Santa and we were in hysterics. One of the preschool teachers had recently gotten married and it was her husband who did it. We never laughed so hard!!

    But the kids know that Santa isn't part of the Christmas story. He's not included in anything else we do at church and we don't teach our children at home that Santa is who brings you gifts. We've taught them the cultural significance and told them under threat of severe punishment that they are never to tell other children that there is no Santa. That's not their place.
     
  6. Bro. James

    Bro. James Well-Known Member
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    Curious: Jesus told His disciples(First New Testament Church) to preach, baptize and teach(all things He commanded). He does command to remember His death. There is no commandment to remember His birth. Who authorized the amendments?

    There are many still teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.
    The ones who really want Santa are the merchants of seasonal goods sold in our wonderful world of materialistic consumerism.

    What if we spent the money on providing Bibles for the lost and dying world?

    See I Cor. 3--the part about the wood, hay and stubble.

    Even so, come Lord Jesus.

    Bro. James
     
    #6 Bro. James, Jan 10, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 10, 2013
  7. Alcott

    Alcott Well-Known Member
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    Perhaps it's acceptable to present a contrast. I've tried to think of clever ways before to compare Jesus with Santa Claus and here are a few:

    Santa Claus leaves us with his presence...Jesus never leaves us without his presence.

    Santa Claus rides a fleeting sleigh without death... Jesus slays fleeting death without a ride.

    Santa Claus pushes himself in beyond the grate of the home's fireplace... Jesus pull ourselves out beyond the home place of the great fire.
     
  8. JPPT1974

    JPPT1974 Active Member
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    Yeah as there is a difference between both Santa and Jesus.
    Santa comes and goes. But Jesus never leaves nor forsakes!
     
  9. smalltown

    smalltown New Member

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    Amen Bro. James. I like the cut of your jib. Your reference to I Cor. 3 was very apt. I believe whether a person celebrates Christmas or not is matter of conscience but after discovering that the holiday of Christmas is steeped in paganism and Roman Catholicism I've decided to forgo the seasonal festivities. Actually, I don’t believe in celebrating any holiday because holiday means holy day and there are no special days set aside in The New Testament that believers are to reverence as holy.
     
  10. Bronconagurski

    Bronconagurski New Member

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    A lot of what was called doctrine by the church fathers has been rejected today, but we did not throw out the baby with the bathwater and reject the scriptures. Just because someone used a Christmas tree in a pagan way does not mean that I do also. When I see the presents around the tree, I am always reminded of the greatest gift given to mankind, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
     
  11. smalltown

    smalltown New Member

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    As I said it’s all a matter of conscience. I would certainly not judge anyone that felt differently on the subject. My dearly beloved mother was a devout believer and loved Christmas. I just happened to feel differently. I was posting on another blog awhile ago on the subject if Christmas was biblically correct and was accused of being a Jehovah’s Witness and was attacked in the meanest sort of way. I thank you for responding to my post in a kind way.
     
  12. Bronconagurski

    Bronconagurski New Member

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    No worries. This is the kind of thing that is a personal choice. When it comes to a personal choice, the bible teaches plainly if we do something that we think is a sin, then it is a sin to us. I think that scripture is for all the grey areas, like this one.
     
  13. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    If that is the only reason you are against it, then you would be against indoor plumbing in the church building.

    Actually, I may even consider using Santa in a message for this next Christmas.
    Let me explain.
    First, there was an actual St Nick a 4th century Greek Christian bishop of Myra. However over the centuries, folklore and and tradition have found there way into the Christmas story. Yet, the true story of Jesus Christ has never been changed - (the same yesterday, today and forever)

    I often like to preach on contrasts .....

    Salty

    PS If I did preach that message, should I rate it PG-13?
     
  14. smalltown

    smalltown New Member

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    Exactly. You hit the bull’s-eye with that one. The topic of Christmas does make for an interesting discussion. Just as an aside I sometimes wonder what the Ancient of Days who has no beginning and no end thinks of the world throwing him a birthday party. It’s one of those questions I will have when I meet Him in glory. Then I can ask, Lord, how did you feel about Christmas?
     
  15. smalltown

    smalltown New Member

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    I would say that having Santa Claus in the church is pushing the envelope and would definitely be against it. If it’s troubling you then maybe God is trying to tell you something. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Santa is an anagram for Satan.
     
  16. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I'm more concerned about the clowns behind the pulpits.
     
  17. HeDied4U

    HeDied4U Well-Known Member
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    Amen to that. :thumbs:
     
  18. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    and in German Santa = Weihnachtsmann
     
  19. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    Must be part of some liberal war on Xmas!
     
  20. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    Yes, you should rate it PG-13, and make people sign a waiver prior to hearing it. You know some people will not like having you ruin their kids santa myth.
     
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