Comments on: Do you believe in Santa Claus? http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/ The Reign of Christ Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:13:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: W.H. Chellis http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2675 W.H. Chellis Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:08:17 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2675 yes- I have an mp3 file. I wonder if there is a way to post an MP3 file here? yes- I have an mp3 file. I wonder if there is a way to post an MP3 file here?

]]> By: GRC http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2674 GRC Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:15:55 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2674 Was this lecture recorded? Is there a way for an mp3 of the lecture to be uploaded so that it might be downloaded? Was this lecture recorded? Is there a way for an mp3 of the lecture to be uploaded so that it might be downloaded?

]]> By: In Light of the Gospel » Blog Archive » A Reformed “apology” for Santa Claus http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2664 In Light of the Gospel » Blog Archive » A Reformed “apology” for Santa Claus Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:10:51 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2664 [...] W. H. Chellis has an interesting defense of belief in Santa Claus. I am almost persuaded! Read his post here. [...] [...] W. H. Chellis has an interesting defense of belief in Santa Claus. I am almost persuaded! Read his post here. [...]

]]> By: W.H. Chellis http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2663 W.H. Chellis Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:31:02 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2663 So that is why the Scots hate Christmas. I thought it was just their congenital "frugality"! So that is why the Scots hate Christmas. I thought it was just their congenital “frugality”!

]]> By: Caleb Stegall http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2662 Caleb Stegall Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:19:29 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2662 Orkneyjar Scots know Santa is a tool of Occidental/Romish oppressors intended to disenfranchise the sturdy Scot from his rightful place as ruler of the windswept frigid kingdom of the North. Sinterclawse wouldn't last a day in the true north! Orkneyjar Scots know Santa is a tool of Occidental/Romish oppressors intended to disenfranchise the sturdy Scot from his rightful place as ruler of the windswept frigid kingdom of the North. Sinterclawse wouldn’t last a day in the true north!

]]> By: W.H. Chellis http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2659 W.H. Chellis Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:14:26 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2659 I have been thinking about this more. I can see the heart of your argument and feel its weight. If my argument is sound.... why not pray to Mary or other saints? At one level, from the perspective of union with Christ, asking favors of living friends in Christ does make logical sense. The problem is that logic without Scripture is dangerous. What I will add to my argument is the unique nature of Santa Claus as one who transcends his actual place as a saint united to Christ and takes on a mythological status. It is the mythological status that is the heart of the question. It becomes confusing because of St. Nicholas' authentic personality as one we do share fellowship with in Christ. Therefore I feel the tension. Still, I think it is important to recognize that Santa Claus is a traditional folkway that should not be quickly given up. Especially when he serves as such a great illuminator of transcendent truth. Of course, I am no Scot so maybe that is the problem. My piety reflects my German Reformed background and you know how those Germans love Christmas, Christmas Trees, and jolly Old St. Nicholas. Our piety is fed by good beers and the occasional Christmas cookie. You can keep the haggis but only if you want to pretend your a Scot, for you, my friend, are a German yourself! So lets hide the pickle, stuff the stockings, and sing some silent night. I have been thinking about this more. I can see the heart of your argument and feel its weight. If my argument is sound…. why not pray to Mary or other saints? At one level, from the perspective of union with Christ, asking favors of living friends in Christ does make logical sense. The problem is that logic without Scripture is dangerous.

What I will add to my argument is the unique nature of Santa Claus as one who transcends his actual place as a saint united to Christ and takes on a mythological status. It is the mythological status that is the heart of the question. It becomes confusing because of St. Nicholas’ authentic personality as one we do share fellowship with in Christ. Therefore I feel the tension.

Still, I think it is important to recognize that Santa Claus is a traditional folkway that should not be quickly given up. Especially when he serves as such a great illuminator of transcendent truth.

Of course, I am no Scot so maybe that is the problem. My piety reflects my German Reformed background and you know how those Germans love Christmas, Christmas Trees, and jolly Old St. Nicholas. Our piety is fed by good beers and the occasional Christmas cookie. You can keep the haggis but only if you want to pretend your a Scot, for you, my friend, are a German yourself!

So lets hide the pickle, stuff the stockings, and sing some silent night.

]]> By: W.H. Chellis http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2658 W.H. Chellis Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:06:56 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2658 DGH- of course my Kirk is showing.... it often does. As for Mary, Theotokos, I believe in her also. You know... the bible does mention her. But I take some exception to what you say about early Christianity. I learned to appreciate the relationship between Fairee and the transcendent reading the 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. I was/am particularly struck by Chapter 25: The Phoenix an emblem of our resurrection. Interesting stuff. DGH- of course my Kirk is showing…. it often does.

As for Mary, Theotokos, I believe in her also. You know… the bible does mention her.

But I take some exception to what you say about early Christianity. I learned to appreciate the relationship between Fairee and the transcendent reading the 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. I was/am particularly struck by Chapter 25: The Phoenix an emblem of our resurrection. Interesting stuff.

]]> By: D Hart http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2656 D Hart Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:22:56 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2656 Bill, couldn't a similar argument be made for Mary, the mother of God? I see your Kirk showing. And while I have some sympathy for this outlook, I'm still struck by the way that Judaism and early Christianity depopulated the gods in the universe; they had no brook with analogies or affinities. All of which to say is that Reformed piety is stern stuff and goes with haggis and whiskey. You definitely need to acquire a taste for it. Bill, couldn’t a similar argument be made for Mary, the mother of God? I see your Kirk showing. And while I have some sympathy for this outlook, I’m still struck by the way that Judaism and early Christianity depopulated the gods in the universe; they had no brook with analogies or affinities. All of which to say is that Reformed piety is stern stuff and goes with haggis and whiskey. You definitely need to acquire a taste for it.

]]> By: W.H. Chellis http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2654 W.H. Chellis Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:49:33 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2654 I hear that one. The upside is the with peak oil rumors floating around coal is like getting gold in your stocking. My kids are starting to misbehave on strictly economic grounds. I hear that one. The upside is the with peak oil rumors floating around coal is like getting gold in your stocking. My kids are starting to misbehave on strictly economic grounds.

]]> By: sixteenninety http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2652 sixteenninety Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:34:14 +0000 http://deregnochristi.org/2007/12/21/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus/#comment-2652 If Santa were real, I'd have a lot more coal to show for it. A very deep mystery indeed. If Santa were real, I’d have a lot more coal to show for it.

A very deep mystery indeed.

]]>