What do you think Christmas is all about?  We’ve included a video of some people answering that question on the street at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1050bLTVw

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

Ryan Sim - June 10, 2013

Monday - A New Idea - Needs

In 2009, Pew Research studied needs of American consumers from 1996 to 2006. In 10 years, percentage who said these things were necessities changed this way: • Microwave doubled to 68% • Dishwasher rose from 13% to 35% • Cell phone from zero to 49% in 10 years • hi speed internet from zero to 29% • iPod was brand new, from zero to 3% http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2010/10/Luxury.pdf I wish we had newer numbers. Many would still be far higher since, and include brand new “needs” like a data plan, iPad and more. Canadian numbers probably wouldn’t include as many air conditioners. It’s hard to identify a need vs. a want – the constant march of modern life toward new technology tricks us into thinking old wants are now needs. We forget that we ever got by! Question: What is the difference between a want and a need?

Related Topics: Needs, Prayer | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

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