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From Santa to Savior

When Virginia O'Hanlon, an 8-year-old girl from New York City, sent a letter addressed to the newspaper The Sun in 1897, she asked a very simple question: "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?" In what must have been a surprise to her, the question was answered quite frankly. After calling out Virginia's "little friends" for doubting the existence of Santa Claus and being clouded by an age of skepticism, the writer of the article, Francis Pharcellus Church, gave his straightforward reply, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."

 THE SANTA CAUSE  Origins in the Saint Nicholas Story

 THE SANTA CAUSE  Origins in the Saint Nicholas Story  Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and other variations

 THE SANTA CAUSE  Origins in the Saint Nicholas Story  Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and other variations  Modern Santa

 THE SANTA CAUSE  Origins in the Saint Nicholas Story  Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and other variations  Modern Santa Santa Claus originated as a mispronunciation of Dutch Sinterklaas, which in turn is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas).

 THE SANTA CAUSE  Origins in the Saint Nicholas Story  Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and other variations  Modern Santa  What is he like?

 Santa Is Like Jesus! Some comparisons from Cutting Edge Website  Has white hair and a beard  Hour of his coming is a mystery  Is a carpenter  Is Omnipotent  Is Omniscient  Is Omnipresent

 Santa Is Like Jesus! Some comparisons from Cutting Edge Website  Lives Forever  Gives Gifts  Bids Children Come To Him  Children Can Ask Him For Anything  Judges If You Are Good Or Bad  Brings Peace

 THE SANTA CAUSE  Origins in the Saint Nicholas Story  Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and other variations  Modern Santa  What is he like?  What is the emphasis?  What is the truth?  What should we say?

 THE SAVIOR’S CAUSE  A Baby In A Manger - Luke 2:1-20

 Luke 2:1-20 Please turn to this passage in your Bible.

 THE SAVIOR’S CAUSE  A Baby In A Manger - Luke 2:1-20  Fulfilled Prophecy  Examples of Prophecy

 Isaiah 7:14 Born of a Virgin Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

 Matthew 1:18, Born of a Virgin This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. … When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

 Psalm 2:7 Son of God He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

 Matthew 3:17 Son of God And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

 Jeremiah 23:5-6 Family of David "The days are coming," declares the LORD,"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land

 Luke 3:23-32 Family of David The Genealogy of Jesus

 Micah 5:2 Born In Bethlehem But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

 Matthew 2:1-5 Born In Bethlehem Please turn to this passage in your Bible.

 Isaiah 7:14 Called Immanuel (“God with us”) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

 Matthew 1:22-23 Called Immanuel (“God with us”) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us."

 THE SAVIOR’S CAUSE  A Baby In A Manger - Luke 2:1-20  Fulfilled Prophecy  Examples of Prophecy  The Impact of Prophecy – Proof!  The God-Man – Philippians 2:5-11

 Philippians 2:5-11 Please turn to this passage in your Bible.

What Should We Do? Tell your children the truth. Be tactful – Explain the history of St. Nicholas Explain that our focus is on Jesus’ birth – Tell the incredible story! Explain – Santa is a fun decoration. Don’t upset other children.