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 - April 16, 2014

Wednesday - Death is Coming for Jesus

We’re looking at Jesus’ death this week, and how he didn’t need to, but allowed death to come for him so it couldn’t come for us. This wouldn’t be passing moment in history, but something Jesus wanted his followers to remember. Here’s how he spent his last night of freedom, at a traditional Jewish Passover supper with friends, that became very non-traditional here. Question: What helps you remember complex and important truths? In the glut of symbols this weekend – Easter eggs, bunnies, ham and more, what will help you remember Jesus’ death as the central focus?

From Series: Easter | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

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