Like most people, I like watching Christmas movies in the time leading up to Christmas (yes, I know, it's Advent, not Christmastime yet, but there's a legitimate form of anticipation that allows for the watching of Christmas movies, and listening to Christmas music before Christmas actually arrives, so that one is ready for it when it does).
Anyway, it occurs to me that a lot of the Christmas movies that come out nowadays have this as their theme or message:
It's really important that you believe in Santa Claus, but not so important that you believe in God.
Now don't get me wrong, I still like a lot of these movies, but there's this nagging annoyance in the back of my skull that knows they come from writers with a skewed (or even pagan) worldview. Several of the movies I've seen lately have that element of a dead parent, and yet there is never any talk of God or heaven - the dead parent is "with us always in our hearts" but never actually waiting for us in heaven. Oh, but if people don't have enough Christmas spirit and believe in Santa Claus, all hell is going to break loose.
At least The Christmas Chronicles gave a nod to the actual Saint Nicholas of Myra, so kudos to those writers. But overall, it's just a symptom of the way Christians and faithful Christianity are marginalized, and how we have to settle for entertainment that comes from a faithless worldview.
Now, having said that, I did finally sign up for PureFlix. I expected it to be filled with the cheesier kinds of attempts at Christian entertainment, like a cross between Hallmark and Left Behind, but so far what we've watched on PureFlix has been pretty good. So I do recommend it, as a good alternative.
I'm sure I'll say this again, but I wish you all a very blessed rest of Advent, and a Merry Christmas!
Dear friends - Please take 10 minutes to watch this personal update from me:
I'm back, up and running, and ready to go - I should have a new JOURNEY episode within the next week or so - and because you are my loyal peeps, here is an exclusive, just-for-you, behind the scenes SNEAK PEEK into my new office:
I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
I hope you like the song!
And don't forget, if you would like to read my latest novel:
The Sword and the Clover - just let me know by email.
I'm happy to send you the PDF version, even if you haven't been a monetary supporter of the community - all I ask is that you don't share it with anyone else.
My email address:
Keep in touch!
JIm
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