Jesus Claus

I saw a thought-provoking ad from the United Church. My thoughts were provoked. The ad was a simple picture: a "Jesus" person sitting on Santa’s chair in a mall with kids on his lap. I don’t remember the caption, but the image is all it took to raise the question – what is the appropriate relationship between Jesus, Santa, Christmas Trees and Tonka Trucks.
I remember a writer from a generation ago described art as a lie that forces us to contemplate the truth. In this 21st century world, art and advertising images are usually one in the same thing. Jesus in a mall is a Lie that forced me to contemplate the Truth.
There is a competition of images going on in my mind. A number of years ago local Christian bookstores sold a bunch of Kneeling Santa images. "That’s more like it," we evangelicals said. "Santa has to pay homage, has to worship at the manger too." Is that image any better? It is the same mixture; sacred/secular; Christ and Culture; Christian/Pagan. I decorate a Christmas tree. I buy gifts for my family. I eat (too much) turkey, wear red sweaters and wonder what to do with the "Just Like…" cologne from Aunt Betty. Have I lost the Christ in Christmas?
What would Jesus do if he were here today? I don’t think he’d spend much time in a mall’s concourse, sitting on an elaborate throne nestled between the Gap and La Senza having kids sit on his lap. I see him sitting on a curb downtown, sitting with children from single moms and street kids. I believe that the point of the incarnation is (almost) equally undermined by a sentimental image of a manger or as Santa Claus.
Jesus came (the first Christmas) for two reasons, as far as I can tell. The first was to usher in the Kingdom of God. That kingdom is/is going to be one of justice and love. The church’s job is to partner with God, through the Spirit and follow the example of the Son and bring justice and Love to our world. Buying a Tonka Truck for a child of a single mom as part of a ministry effort just might be the most Christ-like thing we can do. The second reason (in no particular order) was to die. Neither of these are particularly sentimental.
But, if a sentimental image of the nativity brings us back to discussing Jesus and his mission, maybe it is a good thing. If in image of Santa reminds us to buy a gift for a homeless man, or a needy child, then let’s have images of Santa around. And if an image of Jesus sitting in Santa’s chair sparks conversation about Christmas, let’s have more images. (Even if the image bugs me. But wasn’t that their point?)
Hope and Peace and Merry Christmas.

Please, a simple answer to a simple question

I’m feeling a bit stuck, these days. First of all, Saturday was my last day of employment; the contract was temporary and it is over. I have a part-time gig in an office, but nothing that can sustain us, and certainly not a career. Here I sit a man in search of a career. Simon and Garfunkle’s song comes to mind: "Seeking only workman’s wages/I come looking for a job/but I get no offers…" The next line certainly does not apply (you’ll have to look it up, the song is The Boxer), but I really would like a career that would pay a bill or two, and be somewhat satisfying, and allow me to continue to write.

Speaking of which, the second reason I am stuck is that I am working on a story and just wrote myself into an emotional spot. The main character, Ryan, has to tell his new girlfriend that her best friend and first lover (you’ll have to read the whole story to realize it is not as weird as it sounds) was just murdered. I stopped writing at that point. She still doesn’t know Matt has been killed. I just don’t have the courage to tell her. I really don’t know how she’ll react, so I stopped writing...

And lay on the couch in our study and read a book, avoiding the inevitable. I’ll write that later. So I read. A safe escape. Safer than internet porn, or stupid TV. I between pages, I lifted my eyes to the framed degree on the wall. Words like "hereto" and "bestowed" or it is "conferred", I forget. Anyway, there it was on the wall, my degree: Master of Theological Studies. This leads me to the third reason I am stuck. When I enrolled in graduate school, I thought it was the ticket. I wasn’t sure to where, but it certainly was the ticket. I read the last line of the certificate "…and all the Rights and Privileges pertaining thereto…" Could someone pleas tell me exactly what my Rights and Privileges are?

So here I sit: under-employed, over-educated, avoiding fictional characters because I am afraid of their reactions to the bad news I have to give, and wondering what my rights in fact are. Would someone please help?
I’d be most obliged.