From that experience, or your own, you can probably identify some answers drive religious people crazy: Santa, gifts, Elf on the Shelf, and so on. They will shout – it’s about Jesus!
You can also probably identify some answers religious people would love. Jesus is the reason for the season. A saviour was born. God is with us.
You can see how polarizing Christmas can be! It is a religious occasion that is solemn, deep and meaningful, and yet it is also a cultural reality with rampant consumerism, time with family, funny traditions and oddities like eggnog and mistletoe.
You might think Chiristmas shouldn’t be polarizing, and that this is a new reality. But Christmas and its effect on the world was polarizing not just today, but 2000 years ago. We’ll see how later this week.
Question: How much of Christmas do you think is religious, and how much is cultural? How much Santa, how much Jesus?
Reminder: We have a great Christmas event coming December 14th, 2013: The Original Christmas Party. Hope you’re coming!
Read the Bible in Sync Today
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One of the major news stories in Canada earlier this year was Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike.
She willingly gave up food, other than fish broth, to protest and pursue what she considered a greater good.
She's one of many stories of people giving up something good, in order to pursue an even greater good.
In diets, people give up foods they love, for greater health. Or they fast before surgery, again for better health.
Parents give up money, time, independence, much of their lives, for the good of a child.
Many a professional has given up opportunities, promotions, raises for better work-life balance.
One man I know gave up his career as a rising star in a major legal firm, to study and become a pastor.
The list goes on. Maybe even includes you!
Question: What would be important enough to make you give up food?
