Hi, I'm Jim Denison with Denison Forum, and this is the Daily Article for Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

My title today is the Santa Clausification of Christmas, so I need to begin with a disclaimer.

I am a fan of Santa Claus. I have fond memories of writing wish-list letters to him as a child

and bringing our sons to visit him at them all when they were children. My purpose

today is not to criticize the commercialization of Christmas, but to explore a different, the

related topic. In the latest Pew Research Center report, 20% of those survey named religious

faith as the most important source of meaning in their lives. Here's the good news. Religion received more votes than any source except family.

Here's the bad news.

In a nation where 72% of the population identifies as Christian,

a large majority of those claiming to follow Jesus

do not find meaning in life primarily from their relationship with him.

He may be part of their lives, but he is not central to them.

Of all life's priorities, which should come first? Well, here's God's answer in Jeremiah 9. Thus says the

Lord, let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the

rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands

and knows me. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the importance of putting God first in our lives.

We could consult Matthew 633, Exodus 20, verse 3, and Colossians 3 verse 2, for instance.

God does not share his glory. If he did, he would be committing idolatry.

Years ago, I heard a preacher warn, if you want to get along with God, stay off his throne.

However, such single-minded commitment to our father runs counter to the secular culture we inhabit.

It's fine if you want to make Jesus part of your life, but if you choose to make

him your Lord and tell others they should do the same, you risk being branded as bigoted and

...