Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion?

Ask Pastor John

Desiring God

John Piper, Unknown, 163859, Pastor, Ask, Theology, Desiring God, Religion & Spirituality/christianity, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, Questions

4.8 • 3.8K Ratings

🗓️ 23 December 2015

⏱️ 8 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Compared to all the riches of knowing Jesus Christ, even the best gift Santa could bring is little more than a lump of coal.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is the season for questions and controversies and yesterday we talked with the historian about
0:10.1	the historical debate over whether or not here at the great really did slaughter all of
0:14.6	the baby boys in Bethlehem or whether the story is a nativity fiction.
0:19.9	Today we talk about a cultural debate over Santa Claus.
0:22.9	Of course this is the season for Santa Claus questions here at Asbestar John and we have
0:27.6	over 50 questions on the topic in our inbox.
0:30.5	Now of course Pastor John, as you know there's a 4th century Greek historical figure named
0:35.1	St. Nicholas but most of the questions I think all of the questions that we have received
0:40.7	are about the mythical white bearded red-suited reindeer flying Santa Claus that one.
0:46.5	Corbin from Gainesville, Georgia writes and asks this, Pastor John, should parents allow
0:50.9	their children to believe Santa Claus is bringing them gifts on Christmas?
0:55.1	So cut it straight Pastor John, what would you say about Santa Claus?
1:00.7	After Easter Christmas should be the happiest day of the year in Christian worship.
1:05.2	The reason I say after Easter is that good Friday and Easter is the goal of Christmas.
1:12.7	The death and resurrection, the salvation of sinners through the death and resurrection
1:16.1	of Jesus is the goal of Christmas.
1:18.9	Christmas is not the goal of Easter, Christmas is a means.
1:22.5	The salvation of sinners on good Friday and Easter is the goal.
1:26.1	Jesus came at Christmas to seek and to save the lost Luke 19.
1:30.7	Jesus came at Christmas to save sinners, 1 Timothy 115.
1:35.7	Jesus came at Christmas to give his life a ransom for many, Mark 10.
1:39.8	Jesus came at Christmas, not to call the righteous but sinners, Matthew 9.
	...

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