Earlier today I recorded a 16 minute podcast that shares the wonderful history of St. Nicholas and how the story of this real Saint, who was martyred, became the current understanding of Santa Claus.

I talk about how St. Nicholas came to America and outline how Dutch settlers in New York, called St. Nicholas "Sinta Claes" to our English version Santa Claus.

Washington Irving created the mythological story "A History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty" by "Diedrich Knickerbocker", which changed the picture of St. Nick to a more plumb Santa Claus.

From there a poet by the name of Dr. Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem based on that previous writing which we now know as "A Visit from St. Nicholas" which is also known as "The Night Before Christmas".

Then a little girl named Virgina O’ Hanlon who didn’t believe in Santa Claus was told by her father to write the newspaper to find out if it was true.  She wrote The New York Sun and on September 21, 1897 a column was written in response to her question "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus!" – the author Frances Pharcellus Church.

And then the person, who you may know already, is Haddon Sundblom was the one who made Santa even more popular as he depicted Santa in Coca-Cola ads.

You can read more interesting history in Joe Wheeler’s wonderful little book Christmas in My Soul – published in the year 2000.

Here my 16 minute podcast here.

The following was written by Ray Comfort and is published in its entirety at WorldView Weekend.

Good News for Pedophiles — Ray Comfort

Thanks to Delta airlines, you can now sit back and enjoy pedophilia while you fly in comfort across America. While there are certain passengers who may appreciate it, I don’t think I am alone in my convictions when it comes to the sexual exploitation of our children. I don’t like it.

…

Recently Kirk Cameron, I, and my son-in-law Emeal Zwayne, were flying from Atlanta to Los Angeles. Halfway into the flight, Kirk suddenly looked up and said, What’s going on!� We looked up at the more than twenty screens to see what looked like a nine-year-old child sexually gyrating and stripping in front of an adult audience. As we watched in horror, a few of the adults in her audience stood to their feet and began to clap to the music, obviously encouraging her to strip further, which she gladly did.

The airline kindly warned that the movie contained adult situations, strong language and violence, and reviews said that it was hilariously funny. No doubt the film’s makers had a reason for their juvenile stripping scene, but what we were looking at wasn’t a normal adult situation, nor was it funny. This was the promotion of pedophilia in the public arena.

Finish reading.

The following is from the Mission Network News, one of my favorite missions ministries.

USA (MNN) — Next, political correctness has invaded Christmas in the United States. Stores post signs that say happy holidays, season greetings, or even peace on earth. However, the American Tract Society says Jesus is the reason for the season and they’re doing something to promote that fact. ATS’ Fern Knabel. “We have this little business-sized card. And, on one side it says, ‘Merry Christmas,’ and a Scripture verse, ‘A Savior has been born.’ And, you flip it over and it has a ‘happy holidays’ with a ‘no’ sign in front of it and a www address KeepMerryChristmas.com.” That website presents the true meaning of Christmas, the Gospel. Knabel says this card allows the most timid Christians to be a witness this Christmas. “It’s so easy for you to have these in your pocket, purse, backpack, or your sports bag, and anytime you would normally say ‘Merry Christmas’ just hand them this card and I promise you the Holy Spirit is going to work.” Go to our website get your cards.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/9336

Last month was a very difficult month for me personally.  My husband’s grandmother died the week before Thanksgiving and we had her funeral, then  I also had the anniversary of my mother’s death the week before that, and then 3 days before Thanksgiving it was my mom’s birthday.  Needless to say, I had death on my mind most of November.

So one of the things I did was check into this book I saw by Randy Alcorn.  I have a good friend who recommended his other book Heaven, which we had given to our grandmother before she died.  So when I saw that Randy Alcorn had written another book called 50 Days of Heaven: Reflections That Bring Eternity to Light, I knew I had to get it.  So I downloaded it at Audible (a great audio book club) and began listening to it, and all I can say is that this book is by far one of the best that I have ever heard/read!

One of the most inspirational chapters in the book has to do with how the martyrs see the current earth from heaven.  Revelation 6: 9-11 says the following that sheds some light on this.

When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

Randy Alcorn points out in his book that it is possible for those in heaven to see what is happening here on earth.  This passage is just one example of this.  As I was thinking about this question though, I think it’s rather stunning for a few reasons.  First,  these martyrs are obviously completely whole again.  I think most of us believe that …God will restore us and make us whole.  Second, I find it absolutely fascinating that it is the martyrs asking the Lord this question!  Think about that…it could have been anyone else who died, but it wasn’t…the text says it was His martyrs. 

And check out the Lord’s answer…He basically said to them…to rest because others still had to die as martyrs.

Now imagine with me that you are one of those martyrs in heaven who is longing to have your death avenged by the Lord.  And the Lord tells you to rest because there are going to be more martyrs….what do you think you would feel?  What would you do?

Interesting to think about isn’t it?  I realized reading this passage in Scripture and also Alcorn’s book that martyrs play even a more interesting part in God’s economy that I once thought.  I want to encourage you to check out Alcorn’s book if you get a chance.  It’s very encouraging, packed with Scripture and good theological reference.

Have you heard about my "Jesus is Coming Merry Christmas Campaign" yet?  Oh…you haven’t….

Well, let me tell you all about it.  A few years ago I decided that I was going to spread Christmas cheer to people in my neighborhood.  So I went and bought about 100 candy canes and found a place where there was a lot of people and handed them out.  It was totally fun and I loved it.

This year I revisited the idea and the Lord has already blessed my efforts this year!  Let me tell you what happened on Saturday when I stepped out in faith and started buying the gem stones for this years project and my candy canes.

I was in Michael’s (the craft store) searching for my gemstones and other supplies and when I was there I ran into a friend from my old church who gave me a 40% off coupon, which saved me some money…and then when I was checking out there was a lady in front of me in line and she asked me what I was doing.  I had just placed 15 boxes of candy canes in my small cart. So I told her that I was buying materials to put together for my Jesus is Coming Merry Christmas Campaign and she was so tickled by what I was planning on doing that she said that she wanted to be apart of it.  Then she reached into her purse and gave me $20!  Pretty cool huh?

So I spent that $20 with the other money I had and when I came home I was able to get my neighbors to help me put together my little present that I will be handing out to strangers.

Here’s what the project is that we are putting together:

3 Red gems

3 White gems

3-6 Clear gems

3 Green gems

3 Blue gems

1 large candy cane

A pretty clear bag for packaging and of course pretty ribbon to tie it all together.

Then we will be adding a scroll that describes the Christmas message of the stones.

I was hoping that we could hand out at least 500 and so far we have about 76 made up.  So I’ve got a way to go.  I ran out of green stones and when a friend from church found out they gave me another $20 to put towards that!

So I’m on a misson and will be seeing what else we can do.  And I’d like to invite you to help out if you’re as inspired as I am.  Christmas time is the greatest time of the year to surprise people with God’s love.

What are you doing to reach out to someone this year?