The Biblical Evidence For Santa

It is that remarkable and wonderful time of year when millions of Christians around the globe anticipate the celebration of the birth of the Savior,Yeshua, Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is that time when the community of believers has the opportunity to find new and old ways to disagree and separate one from another. The time to celebrate "Peace on earth and good will toward men" can be replaced with judgemental attitudes and divisions over traditions and questions of worship. Believers vary from those who immerse themselves in virtually every tradition to those who piously proclaim that they will have no part in a celebration that was once based in paganism. "To tree or not to tree, that is the question." What of lights and wreaths and stockings and presents?  And what of the big guy in the red suit. What should be done about the Santa Question? Wouldn't it be nice to have some clear Biblical guidelines to clarify these questions? What if I told you that you could find some Biblical answers to the Santa question and some other sticky issues Christians face? Interested? Then keep reading.

The Santa question is answered in Zechariah 2:6, "Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD." This has to be the clearest Scriptural evidence to prove the existence of Santa Clause you could ever find. Who else goes "Ho, ho" and flees to the north? Who else is spread abroad the four winds of heaven bringing gifts to all the good boys and girls? Seems pretty convincing to me. And if you really want that expensive gift like a sports car or motor cycle, remember Isaiah 58:14, "then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land". I am not sure if the Triumph is a motor cycle or a sports car but I am sure they did find joy in the Lord cruising around on the heights of the land. If not a Triumph you could probably find joy in a Harley as well. While we are at it we should deal with the health issue of Santa's pipe. Lots of Christians think smoking is wrong. However, Genesis 24:64 says, "And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel." It appears Rebekah was so nervous when she saw Isaac she needed a smoke to calm her nerves. There seems to be little difference between lighting up a Camel and lighting up a pipe so maybe we have been a little too critical of Santa's smoking habit.

I do hope that you, my readers, recognize that this is all said in jest. Though, I must make a bit of a confession. For those who do not know me I have a pretty full and very white beard. I wear wire rimmed glasses from time to time and also wear a red sort of puffy coat on chilly days. I honestly get some pretty wide eyed looks from small children at the shopping malls. One day I could not resist when a little boy stared at me as we rode in an elevator. I held the door for him and his mom and leaned down to look him in the eye and asked, "Have you been good?" His eyes got really wide as he nodded yes. I winked at him and went on my way realizing, as I walked, that I had just embedded the reality of Santa in the heart of a three year old. The verse in Zechariah 2 has nothing to do with Santa. Isaiah does not refer to motor cycles nor does Genesis 24:6 justify putting dry tobacco leaves in your mouth and setting them on fire. It is obvious that these verses were taken out of context and made to say something other than what God intended. It is like saying Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” has anything to do with prayer or worship. We all know that is taken out of context and does not represent what Jesus intended. Right? Not so sure? Let's check out the context.

Jesus, the Jewish Rabbi, is talking to His Jewish disciples and a Jewish crowd about relationships. The passage is about forgiveness and restoration, Matthew 18:15, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." The Lord then goes on to give instruction should the brother not receive your instruction. “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Matthew 18:16). The italicized portion is a quote for Deuteronomy 19:15. The Jewish audience would recognized this instruction from Torah. The issue here is a violation of God's Law. The grievance is not because someone took their spot at the synagogue or that they said they had seen a high school girls' soccer team play better football than the Jets. It was understood that these petty things would be quickly forgiven and forgotten. The matter here is a sin that puts the brother at odds with God's Word and thus with God Himself. The next step is in verse 17, "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." One needed correction here. There is no church when Yeshua is speaking. The word is simply assembly referring to the Jewish community not a group of Gentile followers of Jesus. This is spoken to Jews who immediately thought of the passage in Deuteronomy. Failure to repent in the face of clear evidence confirmed by three or more witnesses of a clear violation of God's Law would compel the Jewish Community to treat their Jewish brother like a Gentile or tax collector. They would have to exclude the errant brother from the feasts, table fellowship, some business dealings, social events like weddings and bar mitzvah celebrations. It would be a crushing separation designed to bring the guilty brother to repentance and restoration. This is no easy thing and never to be taken lightly. However, if the procedures are followed, those who are leaders in the community and synagogue have assurance from Deuteronomy 19 that when two or three are gathered for the purpose of disciplining and restoring a sinning brother, the Lord, Himself is in their midst. They are not taking such an imposing action on their own. God's Word must be honored and God's community must be pure. There is nothing in Matthew 18 or Deuteronomy 19 that promises us that Jesus will be with us when two or three gather to pray or when we gather to worship. He is always with us and He inhabits the praises of His people. Right thought. Wrong verse.

Just a closing thought about the Christmas season.There is really no doubt that the birth of the babe, spoken of in Luke chapter 2, was born in the spring or fall. This winter birth date is highly unlikely. It is rare to find a Christian that thinks of druids when they see a Christmas tree, but believe me they are out there. I, for one, am fully convinced that the birth of the Savior was not on December 25th. We do not know when his birth occurred. However, I find it hard to find fault with setting aside time to worship the Lord and celebrate His arrival to live among humanity with the purpose of rescuing us from death. It seems any day is a good day to worship God's Son and to celebrate His love and grace poured out upon us. So, I wish you and yours a very blessed Christmas.

Right Thought, Wrong Verse

It has been said that if you tell a lie often enough people will think it is true. Misinterpretation of Scripture holds the same reality. We often quote verses and apply them in ways that has nothing to do with the context and ignores the culture and audience. It is not that the phrase is not true, it is just not true in the context of the passage it is lifted from. Much of the time there is little damage done, however, just because we recite the verse often does not make it true. Let me share two examples that you are likely familiar with. Trust me there are WAY more than just these two. Hmmmmm maybe I could turn this into a series? But, I digress. We will just start with these two.

First, has any one ever quoted Psalm 118:24 to you? Most likely, you just may not know where it came from. It says, "This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." I have even heard it put into a lively little tune. One that has a nice sort of echo thing going for it when you sing it in a group. "This is the day, (This is the day) That the Lord has made, (That the Lord has made) We will rejoice, (We will rejoice)" .... Perhaps it is playing in your head as you read the words. I have been in lots of services and to a number of conferences that have the introduction to the event use this verse. "Welcome to our service, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" And all God's children say, "Amen". Nice thought. And it is true that the Lord makes every day. However, this is not David's inspired thought.

Bounce back to David's Psalm and we find these verses, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:22-23). The day David is speaking of is the day Messiah comes. It is the time when Messiah who was rejected is exalted. This event does not become fully realized until Messiah establishes His kingdom. When He becomes the Chief Cornerstone. Jesus quotes these two verses in Matthew 21:42, as does Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17, and Peter in Acts 4:11. All are clear references to Jesus, Yeshua as Messiah. The one who has come to deliver His people. Peter uses this verse to explain that we are living stones making up His temple with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5-7), The day we "rejoice in" is when the "Rejected Stone" becomes the Chief Cornerstone. Not just any day. Not every day. But, that day when Messiah takes His place to rule and to reign. Believe me, that will be a day to rejoice and be glad in. I am also positive it has not come yet. As I said before, we should be glad and rejoicing every day. However, that is not the day David was calling us to rejoice in. That day is when Messiah comes to reign, Rejoicing every day is that right thought, just the wrong verse.

The second verse is from the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."  Many evangelical commentaries and a variety of messages I have heard tie inheriting the earth to the church ruling with Messiah when He comes and reigns over the earth. This is based upon Revelation 20:6, "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." Obviously the two blessings are tied together. After all everything in Scripture is about me and the church. Right? Just for fun let's give this a little context. The People who first heard this were Jews. They were just outside Galilee. The have come to hear a new Jewish Rabbi, name Yeshua, talk. He speaks their Jewish language and has been reared in their Jewish culture and customs. Everyone there is either Jewish or well familiar with everything Hebraic. Yeshua, Jesus, tells them, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." You and I think Matthew 5:5. All of them think Psalm 37:11, "But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Now who are the meek in Psalm 37? They trust in the Lord, do good, commit their way to Him and rest patiently as they wait for Him, They are humble, upright, and obedient. You might want to go read the whole Psalm. I will still be here when you get back. ............ Okay, now you know that the entire Psalm is how the  righteous shall live and their reward, in contrast to the wicked and their coming judgement. Let's continue. Those who inherit are the righteous. The Jews on the hillside know this. They also know about inheritance. For a Jew at the time of Jesus it was still all about the land. The land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The land that was each tribes inheritance when they conquered it under Joshua. It was divided by tribe, clan and family. The promised land inheritance was vital to them, their culture and their history.

As they listen on the hillside, Rabbi Yeshua reminds them that the meek, the humble, the trusting and obedient, will inherit the land. Earth and land are the same word. Perhaps the reminder is that even though they are under Rome's power and control Yahweh's promise still holds true. No one on that hillside ever thought abut a thousand year reign or something called the church. The message was very practical and meaningful to an oppressed people. God had nor forgotten them. His promises are true. Be patient and trust in the Lord. Do good and walk uprightly as you rest in the promises He gave that never fail.

Not a bad application for us either. It is also far closer to the culture and context of the verse and the message that Psalm 37 brings us. The passage from which Jesus quotes,  Will we rule and reign with Messiah? Indeed. Can we get that promise from Matthew 5:5? Not if you want to see it the way that Jesus taught it to the multitude of Jews on the hillside. It is a right thought, just the wrong verse.

Maybe it doesn't really matter as long as it is true somewhere in the Bible. I guess the question is whether we want to know what Jesus said and meant or what Christians make it say. It seems to me that it is pretty important to know what He said more than what I want it to mean. Then again, if I go with what it means to me and what tradition has made it to be, I can pretty much get Scripture to say anything I want. I am pretty sure that is not what the Apostle Paul meant when he told me to study to show myself approved unto God, correctly understanding the Word of truth. But, that is just what I think. You can make your own choice.  

"What Now?"

The intensity of the past twenty-five days has been somewhat replaced with the dulling metronome of daily responsibilities. However, it does not remove the shadow of the Tom-shaped loss that will now be a part of my existence. I would like to be more like David. To respond like he did in 2 Samuel 12. After agonizing in prayer and fasting over the declining condition of his infant son, David is confronted with the child's death. He gets up from his earnest but unanswered plea, bathes, eats and moves on with life. When asked how he can do this, David replies, “But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:23). David simply trusts God and moves on. I know the truth that David did, but it seems my emotional fasting has continued. I do and will miss my friend. My thought is that this loss will only become more real in the coming days, not less. I am still consoled and wrapped up in the protective shroud of the "peace that passes all understanding" but I am far from joining David in Psalm 30:11, "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness."  The abrasive sackcloth of a loss I have yet to fully comprehend chafes at my soul.

"What now?"

Now I will live each day with the memories of what has been. I will sort through the plethora of words and feelings that consumed my life these past few days. I will remember that Sunday the 4th of December has additional meaning with the memory of hundreds of people gathering to pay tribute and honor a man who had touched their lives. A simple man who simply live out the love of Christ in his every day contact with people. I will remember the broken hearts of his family as they shared those intimate memories of a husband and father and brother. I will remember the many who stood to recount Tom's life of love and grace personified. The hymn "Majesty" will now always hold a special place in heart, not just for Tom but for a little guy named Louis that Tom loved. I will reflect upon the many who sought me out to tell how Tom and his compassionate  leadership at Craigville Bible Church had drawn them into a closer walk with the Savior. I will try to overlook how many of them walked away and left him behind. Such partings were never easy for him. I will remember the hugs and the friends from years past who made the trip to honor their friend and brother. It was a remarkable afternoon to honor a friend and brother who honored the God and Savior he loved.

Personally, I will remember the time squashed in an Escort, Vigilantes of Love, Friendly's, the Pizza Hut Buffet and so many talks while spreading mulch at church or piling wood into my pick-up. I will remember putting sheet rock in his stairway and Elders Meetings on his deck. I will remember praying for our children and our wives. For the joys of shared ministry and shared anguish over the pain and personal attacks that can come with leading God's flock. To know he always had my back. I will remember one of the best renditions of "Nothing but the Blood" that I have ever heard. I will remember how we recognized that we were little more than the broken stones that God, in His remarkable grace, had placed into the structure of His Temple. I will remember most of all his desire to please the Lord and his devotion to his family. Of his smile at the very mention of the woman named Jeanne that he adored. Of the pride and, at times, pain he felt for his son and daughter and the unconditional love he held for them. I will remember that, even though he was pretty sure he was right, he would hear my point of view and on occasion even change his mind.

"What Now?" I will lean on 2 Corinthians 6:2. It is a verse often misapplied by evangelicals to convince people to "Trust in Jesus to be saved today for there may not be a tomorrow".  "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." The word translated "salvation is the Greek soteria. It means  deliverance, preservation, and safety as well as salvation. In the context of 2 Corinthians 5 and 6, it applies to every day I exist on this planet. Not some special salvation day experience. Right now I need a daily dose of deliverance from thoughts I do not need to dwell on. I need preservation from the enemies "what if" assault. You know, those thoughts that accuse us and condemn us for not being the friend we should have been or when we should have been there or said something. Satan loves to hit us with accusatory "what ifs" when we are in pain and vulnerable so we miss the comfort and peace of God while robbing us of the memories that honor our friend. I need to know I am safely in the arms of my Savior when the emotions of loss roll over me from time to time.

"What now?" Will be spent following my friend and brother's example. We did have the distinction of having married the two most amazing women on the planet. In the midst of all this, Tom's love and devotion for Jeanne never wavered. For my part, I have been supported and held tightly in the compassion and grace of the woman who I have been privileged to call my wife for 39 years. I would have been far less together through this if not for my beloved Debbie holding me tenderly when I was too numb to even know how to feel. We both have remarkable and gifted children that held and hold a special connection in our lives. Tom honestly loved my five and I have  loved Jonathan and Melody in the love only two fathers could share. It is likely from the times of prayer, concern, and joys we often shared concerning them when we talked and ate too much pizza together. I will continue to love Christ's Bride as my brother Tom did. He had many earthly reasons to abandon his call as an Elder. However, his love for the Lord and His Bride held him true to his calling. I am forever grateful for having him at my side in all these years of ministry. Oh, and I will make sure the kids ring the bell on Sunday mornings.

It snowed here in New York last night. The ragged trees, bare bushes and dormant lawn of late fall has been painted in silver and white by the Divine Artist. "Washed whiter than snow" is our promise. One realized by my brother Tom and all who would call upon the Name of the Lord. I am at peace. "What now?" I will face each day for today is a day I will be delivered and preserved and held securely in the love of my Lord. And I will be tomorrow and the next day and the next until God takes me home. I can live with that.