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!
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CloseRyan 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
From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"
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