Scared of Santa

Scared of Santa - a gallery on Flickr

Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

Fireside Chat: Christmas

Well, once again Christmas time is among us and Christmas proper is right around the corner. Of course, the Nativity was just one step of series of events in the life of Christ. Moreover, this series of events or causal nexus is one which culminates with things such as salvation from God’s wrath, an end to enmity between God and man, the justification and glorification of sinners-turned-saints: you know, the sorts of things that sound meaningless when we look at the words which denote them but mean a lot more if we stop to meditate on them.

With that said, I pose the following question: How many people do you know would freely and willingly go out of their way to do the following for the likes of you?

1) To become an infant who presumably cannot walk, talk, feed himself, etc.;
2) To become an obedient child who is obligated to obey the oft-erroneous commands of fallible parents--you know, the kind of people who tell you to put on a jacket even when it’s not cold outside and meteorologists haven’t forecasted cold temperatures;
3) To become a pious and wise youth surrounded by foolish peers and an adult surrounded by religious teachers who have less of an understanding of the Scriptures than you;
4) To become a human being subjected to temptation even in the absence of a fallen nature;
5) To sign up to go and suffer a slow, painful death.

Presumably the answer is “not too many,” because the world certainly isn’t lacking in people who would instead just leave sinners or wrongdoers to perish for their own mistakes and acts of rebellion against God. After all, we all know the truth and wisdom behind the saying “You made your bed; lie in it.”

However, what was enumerated in numbers one through five above this was in fact done by one man, and it was done to the glory of God and to the benefit of those who will honor God by believing in the One whom he sent. So if you are a believer, when December 25 comes you have plenty of reason to be thankful and to rejoice over the Nativity and the divine gifts of which it was only a precursor. Then again, if what the word “believe” means to you is to believe that Santa-qua-miracle-man exists, on account of nostalgia and a certain perennial advertising campaign of Macy’s, then for you December 25 should actually be a time of mourning and supplication. Because apart from faith in Christ no one can please God and no one is righteous.

Christmas: Some People Are Ridiculous

'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' causes stir at school!


Wilmington, N.C. — "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" caused a stir at a New Hanover County school. A parent complained about the song's religious reference and got it pulled from her child's kindergarten Christmas show at Murrayville Elementary School.

---This parent is an idiot.

The song was pulled “because it had the word Christmas in it,” said Rick Holliday, assistant school superintendent.
A Jewish mother, who didn't want her name published (because she is an idiot), objected to what she called "religious overtones" in the song. So the principal agreed to pull it from the program.

---And the principal ought to be ashamed of him/herself.

School administrators said they were then flooded with complaints from other angry parents.

---Because 1)to think Rudolph is religious is asinine and 2) religious songs can be sung during class/school performances per the Education Code.

“I would say it's not a very religious song. It's about Santa Claus,” parent Anne Vanslyke said.

School board members, administrators and attorneys listened closely to the song's lyrics and decided the song was secular.

---"Listened closely"!!!??? To make sure there is no religious undertones in the reindeer names? What about the offense to drunks since Rudolph's red nose obviously means he has a drinking problem?

“Rudolph is a secular song. It was about a flying reindeer, not a religious symbol,” Holliday said.

---No kidding!

Many parents shouted out with glee when they heard the song was back in the program.

---Heh heh.

“I think it's great that they let the kids sing because all the kids love that song,” Vanslyke said.

Any student who objects to singing a Christmas song or attending a program can decline participation and will not be penalized, according to school administrators.

---And they ought to instaed of trying to ruin it for the other 99% of people who have no problem with this. What would be worse for the kid? Respectful non-participation, or having your mom steal the Christmas joy from everyone else?

“We do try to be cognizant of everyone's feelings,” Holliday said.

---Except easily offended pansies. Can you tell I think this is absolutely ridiculous. I cannot understand how just one complaint can cause schools to buckle. Stand up for common sense, stand up for respecful disagreement, stand up for Christmas songs, during Christmastime. I wasn't a Christian all my life and enjoyed some fo the carols growing up as part of the American culture. I wonder why I don't hear these guys complaining about the 2-3 weeks they have off of school. (Well, never mind, some parents don't like having their kids home that long :-)

School administrations also decided that for future concerts, religious songs can be included, as long as other faiths are represented as well.

---Good!! It is acceptable in the education code and it should be tolerated in the name of common sense, decency, and respect.

Christmas: Need Gift Idea? How About an Abortion?

Planned Parenthood of Indiana now offering gift certificates

This year, give the gift of convenience.

“People are making really tough decisions about putting gas in their car
and food on their table, so we know that many women especially put healthcare at
the bottom of their list to do,” said Chrystal Struben-Hall, Vice President of
Planned Parenthood of Indiana…

“They can be seen for sexually transmitted disease screenings, HIV
tests and general prostate exams and those kinds of things,” said
Struben-Hall.

Some Hoosiers 24-Hour News 8 talked to asked if the gift
certificates could be used towards abortions. The answer is yes. But, Planned
Parenthood said that’s not the purpose of the gift certificates…

Indiana Family Institute President Curt Smith said he is appalled
by the certificates.
“I think the way to help family planning is to give the
money where there’s no agenda. So if somebody wants to help a woman at a time of
crisis, they can support the life centers throughout Indiana,” said Smith.

Think of it not so much as a gift certificate than as a receipt, in
case Santa left something under your tree that you’d like to “return.”

Exit question: What kind of relationship would you have to have with someone for a gift certificate from Planned Parenthood to be appropriate? If you’re buying for your significant other, cash works just as well. If you’re buying for friends, um … what’s the message there? “Merry Christmas, buddy. The next prostate exam’s on me.”

Thanks to Hot Air for the commentary.

Christmas DysFUNction

Just getting through all the holiday things, known as family get-togethers. I don't know about you, but I struggle with those at times. I have a hard time mostly because it is often a time of trying to create a balance of being real and being superficial. And nice and superficial usually wins out. And I think it has its place, but I struggle with this.

Families usually swing between saying whatever is on their minds without any filter for what they are saying to being just an act, where no one is who they really are for fear of hurting someone's feelings, to anywhere in between. Where does your family fit on the spectrum? I will have to plead the fifth on this one for fear of upsetting anyone. :-) Ahh, we put the FUN in dysFUNction. Ha ha ha.

I usually am fairly quiet at most of these events because I have the social skills of a brick, unless...UNLESS...I am comfortable around you. Most folks see me as reserved and quiet and contemplative. That is all part of my plan. And I am, but if I am comfortable, I tend to also be a goofball.

Speaking of goofball, I just ran across a post on an old Saturday Night Live skit called the Dysfunctional Family Christmas- aired Dec. 15, 1990.

Here is the scene: The family is played by Phil Hartman (Dad), Dana Carvey (Son #1), Mike Myers (Son #2), Jan Hooks (Mom), Victoria Jackson (Daughter #1), and Julia Sweeney (Daughter #2).

The sketch opens on an album cover of the famous painting The Scream, wearing a Christmas Hat. The shot then fades onto a typical American family, but what they sing is anything but typical.

Song:

Let's Pretend We Like Each Other (This Christmas), sung by Dad.

"Christmastime, you force a smile

Everyone is joining in the group denial

Folks behaving infantile

Family Christmastime."

Here's another song:

The Almost Perfect Christmas, sung by the entire group.

Female Chorus: Dinner is perfect, the presents are perfect.

The tree and the parlors are perfect fun.

Male Chorus: Then your brother, yells at your mother.

All: Christmas is ruined for everyone!

Song:

The Daughter Song, sung by Mom and both Daughters.

"Presents and wrapping paper

Ribbons and bows and all that stuff.

Why do we even bother?

Nothing we get you is good enough!"

Song: Ballad of the Co-Dependent, sung by Dad.

"Every Christmas when you got drunk

I told the children you were not drunk.

And I said, "Tommy, you're not being bad,

It's just Christmas makes your Mommy mad."

Song: Why Am I Here? (The 'Pretty' Song), sung by Mom to Daughter #2

"Underneath the mistletoe

Is a 2x2 jingle bell world.

And underneath all those extra pounds

is a very pretty girl."

Song: Carol of Intimacy, sung by a very high-strung Son #1 (in a style only Dana Carvey could perfect)

"Leave me alone! Please go away!

I'm doing fine! Just get away!

"Leave me alone! Please go away!

I'm doing fine! Just get away!

Leave me alone! Please go away!

I'm doing fine! Just get away!"

Some of the other hits after dysfunctional hits include,

--"Someday I'll Get Christmas Right,

--"I've Got My Drinking Under Control For The Holidays,

--"Peace On Earth? Where?

--"Cant' You Let It Drop, It's Christmas",

--"What I Want You Can't Buy Me",

--"Fruitcake And Shame", and

--"Why Am I The Only One Who Knows What Christmas Really Means?

"Now, go give your mom a hug, your family can't be a dysfunctional as this one is!

Hope your Christmas was a good one.

Derrick

Happy Christmas

Just wishing you guys an early Happy Christmas. It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season, so be sure to take some time to reflect on the Savior who came as a baby to take away the sin of the world. And even more to take away my sins. I know I have done much to deserve God's wrath, but through His sacrifice, I don't have to ultimately pay for that sin He took upon Himself.

It is important for me to remember where I came from, so I don't think I am better than anyone else. I am truly thankful for His blessings. I don't deserve them.

Derrick

Slender Santa

Here is an interesting link here and here to the story about Santa's in Britain needing to lose weight.

"Santa needs to set a “good example” for kids, say store owners."

Yeah, like breaking into houses and eating someone's cookies is a good example. I sure don't remember growing up learning about Santa and going, "man, I'd sure love to be fat just like him." though it would be nice to have something else to blame instead of laziness, thyroid, genes, hanging around other fat folks, or my own irresponsible eating habits and lack of exercise...or whatever other reasons.

I highly doubt people are overweight because of good ol' St, Nick.

To borrow John Stossel's line..."Give Me a Break!