Tag: birth

Fun With Santa

~ MD Harris Institute ~ Leave a comment

Some Christians object to the modern celebration of Christmas, believing it to be too grounded in pagan rituals and secular mythmaking to be of any use to modern believers. While some of the influences surrounding Christmas were indeed pagan, that is no reason that followers of Jesus can’t enjoy the season. As long as we give glory to God in appreciating His work in the Incarnation, we can enjoy the secondary parts of Christmas. Santa Claus is one example.  

By Mark Harris, MD, MPH, MBA, MDiv, ThM, PhD, DBA

Christians know that the coming of Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas. We know that Santa Claus is the American version of a generous and jolly character, an amalgamation of Father Christmas (England), the Christkind (Germany, known in America as Kris Kringle), Pere Noel (France), and others. We also understand that the modern Santa is based on a very real Christian leader in Rome, Saint Nicolas (270-343). Santa Claus existed, though much differently than the modern stories. Lastly, we know that Saint Nicolas is a servant of God in Jesus Christ.

Christians can enjoy the traditions around Santa Claus. We can track Santa’s location on Christmas Eve on a Santa tracker. The USPS takes letters from children who want something and matches these letters with people who volunteer to buy the requested present and send the gift to the child. Or you can go all in and become a Santa.

Resource Links

  1. How to be Santa Schools – Charles W Howard Santa Claus School, International University of Santa Claus, Northern Lights Santa Academy,  Worldwide Santa Claus Network,
  2. Operation Santa (Christmas Gifts for Children) – US Postal Service
  3. Santa Tracker – North American Air Defense Command (NORAD)
  4. Santa Tracker – Flight Radar 24
  5. Santa Tracker – Google

 

Accident of Birth?

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No one’s birth is an accident. No one’s position in life is an accident. The hand of the Sovereign God governs all. 

By Mark D. Harris

A recent op-ed bemoaned Brexit and the state of the British government. The English author opined that the prime minister was weak, Parliament was fractious, and once respected democratic institutions were losing public trust. Against this gloomy backdrop, one which has persisted for decades, the British monarchy has rarely been so popular. Why, the writer asks, should a democratic country so revere its constitutional monarchy, which after all selected its leaders not by merit but by an “accident of birth?”

The phrase “accident of birth” has been used a lot in the past 20 years, often to make prosperous people feel badly about prospering. People say “You were born (white, Asian, male, female, rich, American, European, etc.), but your success is merely an accident of birth. You didn’t do it, and you have no right to be proud of it.” Former US President Barack Obama’s “you didn’t build it” gaffe during his 2012 reelection campaign is a variation – partly true, but partly false. The claim “your prosperity is merely an accident of birth” is also used against selected (usually materially successful) members of traditionally disadvantaged groups such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans. The poor can airily dismiss the rich, even as the rich have airily dismissed the poor, with this handy phrase.

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Jesus’ Birth, Childhood, and Family Tree

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Photo by HONG SON on Pexels.com

What was Jesus’ background? Did God the Father arrange the Old Testament to prepare the way for Jesus as the Messiah? 

By Mark D. Harris

It is interesting that the one part of Jesus’ life that is most recognized in mainstream American society is His birth.  We celebrate Christmas, and despite the concerted and oftentimes angry effort to take Him out of Christmas, He remains an important part, even for many who may not believe much else about Him.  Both Matthew and Luke provide valid historical accounts.

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