Eeyores News and View

Japan auto production marks worst drop since 1967
Japan auto production marks worst drop since 1967 amid sapped global demand
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's production of cars, trucks and buses marked its steepest drop in at least four decades in November, an industry group said Thursday, as the fallout from the U.S. slowdown crimped auto demand.
Vehicle production in Japan, home to Toyota Motor Corp. and other major automakers, plunged 20.4 percent in November compared to the same month a year ago to 854,171 vehicles, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said.
That marked the second straight month of on-year declines and the percentage slide was the biggest since the group began compiling such data in 1967, it said.
Production of passenger cars in Japan decreased 20.3 percent in November from the previous year to 737,797 vehicles, while production of trucks here declined 20.9 percent for the month to 106,170.
Japanese automakers, which also include Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and several other manufacturers, have been hammered by the dwindling of demand in the U.S., the world's biggest auto market.
But signs are growing the fallout is so serious domestic sales are getting drastically damaged as well.
Auto executives have expressed dismay at the fall in Japanese sales, which have worsened in the last two months.
Japanese plants are being idled to reduce production, and thousands of assembly line workers have lost their jobs in recent weeks.
"Even if we are doing our utmost, the global crisis is coming at us like a tidal wave," Teruyuki Minoura, president of Daihatsu Motor Co., a Toyota affiliate, told reporters Thursday.
Earlier this month, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said it expected demand in Japan will dive next year to its lowest in about three decades.
Sales of new autos are expected to stand at 4.86 million in 2009, down 4.9 percent from what it's projecting for this year at 5.11 million, the group said.
New vehicle sales in Japan have never dipped below the 5 million mark since 1980. They reached 7.78 million in 1990, during this nation's heyday "bubble" economy.
Vehicle sales in Japan stood at about 5.02 million in 1980, and at 4.31 million in 1975.
Toyota Executive Vice President Akio Toyoda apologized for the public concern that Japan's top automaker has set off by forecasting its first operating loss in seven decades for the fiscal year ending March 2009.
"The overall world economy is said to be facing its worst crisis in 100 years," he told reporters.
But Toyoda brushed off questions about a recent Japanese media report that he may be promoted to president soon, and instead insisted on talking about a new car he said he hoped would appeal to women.
"This car is for housewives, moms and women. In hard times like these, it's best if women are full of life and happiness," he said.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Japan-auto-production-marks-apf-13916293.html

Russia braced for unrest
By Isabel Gorst in Moscow and Anuj Gangahar in New York
Published: December 26 2008 19:53 | Last updated: December 26 2008 19:53
Russia is bracing for further unrest as the rouble on Friday slid to a new low against the euro after a succession of moves to devalue its currency.
A cut on Friday extended six weeks of devaluations by Russia’s central bank designed to offset the impact of the global economic crisis and falling oil prices as the country’s main export commodity approached its lowest level since 2004.
Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader, warned Russia faced “unprecedentedly difficult and dangerous circumstances” and could be “heading into a black hole”. “It is not clear what the fate of our rouble will be or if society has sufficient financial and moral resources,” he said.
After the depreciation, which was the eighth so far this month, the rouble declined as much as 1.2 per cent to Rbs29.06 versus the dollar on Friday, a four year low. The rouble has now lost nearly 20 per cent of its value against the US currency since August.
Analysts at Barclays Capital said the best case scenario would see Russian policymakers, facing the mounting evidence of a recession, allowing a one-off depreciation of 10 per cent or more.
The rouble’s slide comes as the government faces scrutiny over its policies. A demonstration earlier this month in the far eastern city of Vladivostok marked the first major challenge to the Kremlin since the onset of the global financial crisis.
Mikhail Sukhodolsky, a deputy interior minister, warned on Christmas Eve that there could be further protests. “The situation may be exacerbated by a growth in frustration of workers over the non-payment of wages or those threatened with dismissal,” he said.
His remarks coincided with criticism of the Kremlin’s rough handling of the protests in Vladivostok. Moscow-based Omon riot police detained about 61 people in the protests against car import duties designed to prop up domestic car producers, but making foreign vehicles prohibitively expensive for ordinary Russians.
Mikhail Kasyanov, the former prime minister who now leads the liberal People’s Democratic Union opposition movement, said that an unspoken social contract between the government and the people, swapping political freedoms for prosperity and consumer goods, had broken down.
“It was a deal,” he told the FT in an interview this week. “But it has fallen apart and that is why people are appearing on the streets. The process has started . . . Things could spin out of control when people wake up and realise their neighbours have lost their jobs and they are at risk of losing theirs.” He added that “the authorities had reacted “cynically and in a very nervous manner for nothing,” against a peaceful demonstration.
Boris Gryzlov, the pro-Kremlin speaker of parliament, on Friday accused the opposition of provoking the demonstration.
Moscow, which has pledged $200bn to mitigate the effects of the economic downturn, late on Thursday published a list of 295 strategic enterprises entitled to preferential government support.
mid suspicions that the money will not be distributed transparently, the government said the list published on its website was not complete and did not guarantee financial support for those on it.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fb228bfa-d385-11dd-989e-000077b07658.html

Iran to send aid ship to Gaza
ran's Red Crescent is sending a shipment of aid to the Gaza Strip in the face of a blockade of the Hamas-ruled territory by Islamic republic's archfoe Israel, the state broadcaster reported on Friday.
"Despite the Zionist regime's opposition... this consignment will leave Bandar Abbas for Palestine on Saturday and will arrive in 12 days," a provincial Red Crescent director, Ahmad Navvab, was quoted as saying.
"The cargo contains over 2,000 tonnes of food, medicine and appliances and it will be accompanied by 12 Iranian doctors and relief workers," he said.
Earlier this month, the Red Crescent said it aimed to send a 1,000-tonne shipment of grain, sugar, oil and medicine to the aid-dependent land, which has been subject to Israeli blockades and repeated raids since the Islamists of Hamas seized power in June 2007.
Violence in and around Gaza has flared since a six-month ceasefire ended on December 19 and there is widespread speculation Israeli forces are gearing up for large scale military action in the coastal strip.
Israel responded to violence that erupted around Gaza in early November by tightening its blockade of the territory and blocking deliveries of humanitarian aid and other basic supplies.
Tehran is a staunch supporter of Hamas but rejects allegations it is supplying arms to the movement, saying it only provides moral backing.
Iran does not recognise the Jewish state and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for Israel to be wiped off the map and called the Jewish Holocaust a "myth."
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081226141017.mdy6nmnj&show_article=1

New threats to online security
By Richard Waters in San Francisco
Published: December 26 2008 17:20 | Last updated: December 26 2008 17:20
Internet security has deteriorated markedly this year as a new generation of invasive computer attacks, often masterminded by criminal gangs, has reached a heightened level of sophistication, according to the latest studies of online threats.
“It’s getting worse year after year,” warned Pat Peterson, chief security researcher at Cisco Systems, who blamed the deterioration on the fact that computer “hacking” is quickly turning into big business. “Capitalism is working against us,” he said.
“It’s a step back after things had gotten better,” added John Pescatore, a security analyst at Gartner.
In particular, computer security experts warn that so-called botnets, or networks of “slave” PCs whose owners do not know their machines have been infected, have become both more prevalent and sophisticated.
By planting a piece of software on an unguarded PC, criminals are able to assemble large networks of machines to carry out tasks for them, such as launching attacks on other internet users.
PCs that are part of botnets, some of which span 1m or more machines, have become harder to identify and root out in recent months as the rogue software has burrowed deeper into the machines, said Paul Wood, a senior analyst at MessageLabs.
Botnets have also become more dangerous as their controllers have learnt how to repurpose the slave networks to carry out different tasks, Mr Peterson said. One network that was originally used to steal users’ passwords and send out spam was given an overhaul this year so that it could attack legitimate websites, according to Cisco.
A second big new threat that has become notable this year has been the commandeering of legitimate websites and e-mail accounts to spread malicious software. Rogue software is used to scrutinise public websites and “inject” code into those that are found vulnerable, so that later visitors to the sites can be infected.
The setback for internet security follows several years in which the biggest online threats were successfully held at bay or, in some cases, pushed back. The use of the internet to exploit vulnerabilities in millions of PCs first emerged as a significant threat in 2001, after an outbreak of fast-spreading computer viruses and worms.
Those threats were largely thwarted after a concerted effort by Microsoft and other software makers to plug flaws in their code, and after anti-virus software became more widely used. A subsequent wave of spyware that emerged in the middle of this decade was also pushed back.
However, the prospect of making large amounts of money by stealing sensitive information from millions of users, such as their passwords or financial data, has led to a new and more insidious outbreak of mass internet attacks.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/89690a7e-d36d-11dd-989e-000077b07658.html

U.S. debt approaches insolvency; Chinese currency reserves at risk
by Maurizio d'Orlando
In a few months, America's public debt has grown to more than 100% of GDP. Fear of a valuation crisis for the dollar, with tremendous consequences for Asian countries, major exporters to the United States.
Milan (AsiaNews) - In the United States, the danger of debt insolvency is growing, putting at risk the currency reserves of foreign countries, China chief among them. According to new figures published by Bloomberg in recent days (Nov. 25, 2008 [1]), the American government has employed a total of 8.549 trillion dollars to stop the financial crisis. This means a total of about 24-25.4 trillion dollars of direct or indirect public debt weighing on American taxpayers. The complete tally must also include the debt - about 5-6 trillion dollars - of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are now quasi-public companies, because 79.9% of their capital is controlled by a public entity, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which manages them as a public conservatorship.
In 2007, public debt in the United States was 10.6 trillion dollars, compared to a GDP (gross domestic product) of 13.811 trillion dollars. Public debt in 2007 was therefore 76.75% of GDP. In just one year, direct and indirect public debt have grown to more than 100% of GDP, reaching 176.9% to 184.2%. These percentages exclude the debt guaranteed by policies underwritten by AIG, also nationalized, and liabilities for health spending (Medicaid and Medicare) and pensions (Social Security)[2]. By way of comparison, the Maastricht accords require member states of the European Union (EU) to reduce their public debt to no more than 60% of GDP. Again by way of comparison, in one of the EU countries with the largest public debt, Italy, public debt in 2007 was equal to 104% of GDP.
In 2007, 61.82% [3] of America's public debt was held by foreign investors, most of them Asian. So the U.S. public debt held by nonresident foreigners is equal to about 109.39% (113.86%) of GDP. According to a study by the International Monetary Fund, countries with more than 60% of their public debt held by nonresident foreigners run a high risk of currency crisis and insolvency, or debt default. On the historical level, there are no recent examples of countries with currencies valued at reserve status that have lapsed into public debt insolvency. There are also few or no precedents of such a vast and rapid expansion of public debt.
The United States also runs large deficits in its public balance sheet and balance of trade. Families and businesses are also deeply in debt: in 2007, American private debt was equal to a little more than 100% of GDP. At the moment, it is not clear how much of America's private debt has been "nationalized" with the recent bailouts.
In the early months of next year, when the official data are published, the United States will run a serious risk of insolvency. This would involve, in the first place, a valuation crisis for the dollar. After this, the United States could face a social crisis like that in Argentina in 2001. A crisis in U.S. public debt would likely have a severe impact on the Asian countries that are the main exporters to the United States, China first among them. Chinese monetary authorities, thanks to a steeply undervalued artificial exchange rate, by about 55%, have limited imports (including food) and have achieved an export surplus. This has allowed them to accumulate a large stockpile of dollar reserves. In a currency crisis, China risks losing much of the value of its accumulated currency reserves. At the same time, pressure on imports (wheat, other grains, and meat) have led to inflation in the prices of food, the most important expenditure for more than 900 million Chinese. This is nothing more than a small confirmation of the recent statements of the pope, in his message for the World Day for Peace, where the pontiff calls the current financial system and its methods "based upon very short-term thinking," without depth and breadth (nos. 10-12), preoccupied with creating wealth from nothing and leading the planet to its current disaster. [4]
[1] See Bloomberg, 2008, 11-25 16:35:48.130 GMT “U.S. Pledges Top $8.5 Trillion to Ease Frozen Credit (Table)”
[2] In this case, exluding AIG policies, one arrives at a total equal to 429.37 of GDP.
[3] Cf. Economic crisis: US, China and the coming monetary storm
[4] Cf. AsiaNews.it 11/2/2008 Message for Peace 2009: the poor, wealth of the world; Global
solidarity to fight poverty and build peace, says Pope

http://www.sprott.com/pdf/investorsdigest/digest.pdf

Eeyore's News and View

Now back to the real world after a few days off. A good friend Blueduck posted this on a forum i frequent, thought it was worth sharing. Some of the others i got from Survival Blog and the news, not looking good around the world. Hope you had a merry Christmas yesterday. Hopefully you did not run up your cards on too non tangible gifts.
Fortisgate scandal topples Belgian government

Fortisgate, the growing scandal over the future of Belgian rump insurer Fortis, brought down the country's government soon after the justice minister resigned over suspected state meddling in legal decisions.
Jo Vandeurzen stood down after the court of cassation, Belgium's supreme court, said it had found "significant signs" but no hard evidence that the government had tried to influence judges ruling on the bail-out and sale of Fortis.
Within hours, prime minister Yves Leterme won a cabinet vote that the government should resign. King Albert now has to decide whether to accept the resignation.
Observers said the likely outcome would be a general election, an option few parties want amid deepening economic crisis.
Leterme's government had been accused of trying to block a court of appeal ruling to freeze the group's break-up.
Earlier, angry shareholders in Fortis, once Belgium's biggest financial services company, voted overwhelmingly to keep the business going in the desperate hope of brighter days.
As investors railed against an assault on democracy and the rule of law, Jan-Michiel Hessels, acting chairman, warned that Fortis would have gone bankrupt without nationalisation. It lost €23bn of value in a few days in early October. Hessels told about 3,000 shareholders at an extraordinary meeting: "We didn't have a choice and, if we didn't act then, there was a likelihood that the Belgian state would have gone bankrupt - like Iceland."
Shareholders voted against immediate liquidation - and 97% in favour of continuing operations.
The government's €11.2bn bail-out of Fortis, worth €40bn a year ago, failed as the bancassurer went into a liquidity crisis. Ministers handed over the group's Belgian banking and insurance operations, including substantial assets, for a knockdown price to France's BNP Paribas.
But last week the court of appeal ruled in favour of small activist shareholder lobbies who opposed the sale, and BNP this week froze its planned €14.5bn takeover.
Its shares, savaged by investment losses linked to the Madoff scandal, lost 30% in a day and were down more than 5% yesterday. Fortis shares were up marginally at €1.20, or double their all-time low.
BNP has said it could return to the Fortis deal if the court of appeal ruling is overturned, with judges last week freezing the deal for 65 days until mid-February. But, with lawyers warning that the case could take a year or more to unravel, Fortis's future is problematic.
* guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2008

New Zealand recession deepens

New Zealand's economy has contracted for a third straight quarter as the combination of a weak housing market and a slowing global economy takes its toll.

By Bonnie Malkin

Last Updated: 9:17AM GMT 23 Dec 2008

The country's gross domestic product contracted 0.4pc in the three months to the end of September and that follows a 0.2pc decline in the second quarter and a 0.3pc shrinkage in the first three months of the the year. The decline for the latest quarter was in line with economists' expectations.

Like that of its larger neighbour Australia, New Zealand's economy has enjoyed a booming housing market over the past decade. However, the bursting of the housing bubble has prompted New Zealanders to apply a sharp brake to their spending.

The drop in consumer spending in the third quarter was the third in a row and the worst run since the 1980s. The wider global slowdown is exacerbating New Zealand's woes by hitting demand for its key exports such as milk, timber and lamb.

Analysts said the figures make further cuts in interest rates likely. The central bank slashed the rate 1.5 percentage points on Dec 4, following a full point cut in late October, although interest rates remain high compared with other industrialised nations.

"The big judgments will be about what's happening in the [Group of Seven leading industrial nations] and emerging economies and whether what we've seen for the past three quarters locally is just the tip of the iceberg," Deutsche Bank chief economist Darren Gibbs said.

Finance Minister Bill English said it was essential that New Zealand's economy was put on a medium to long-term growth track as quickly as possible. "Our challenge for 2009 is to put New Zealand in the strongest possible position to take advantage of better economic times when they come internationally," he said.

New Zealand was last in recession in the second half of 1997 and early 1998 amid the Asian financial crisis.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/3916404/New-Zealand-recession-deepens.html

Ukraine crisis heightens fears over European gas supplies

The political and economic crisis in Ukraine threatens to disrupt vital Russian gas supplies to Europe for the third winter in a row, senior European commission officials warned today.

Their warning came as the head of Gazprom, Russia's main producer, blamed Ukraine for a potential disruption to supplies in transit through the crisis-torn country.

Ukraine, bailed out with a $16.5bn (£11.14bn) loan from the IMF and EU, owes Russia €2.3bn (£2.17bn) and is unable to pay as its economy and currency go into meltdown despite the aid.

The situation has been compounded by open warfare between President Viktor Yushchenko and his premier Yulia Tymoshenko over the causes of the crisis which has seen the hryvnia, the currency, sink to historic lows.

Andris Piebalgs, EU energy commissioner, indicated he was ready to travel to Moscow early in the new year for emergency talks with the Russians. "I am very worried," he said.

High-level talks between Brussels and Moscow have already begun and now include Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. More than 80% of Russian gas, which provides more than a quarter of Europe's needs, transits through Ukraine.

Piebalgs said he had been assured in letters from the Russians that supplies to Europe would remain intact despite the Ukrainian crisis. The two sides are due to hold a summit in Moscow in January which is designed to ease acute tensions.

But Viktor Zubkov, Russia's first deputy prime minister and Gazprom chairman, said the near-monopoly supplier had offered to redeem Kiev's debt. "So far no solution has been found because of the non-constructive position of the Ukrainian side," he stated.

The Kiev authorities insisted that they could give guarantees of uninterrupted gas supplies in 2009 to European gas consumers. But Piebalgs said their current contract with Gazprom and another supplier, Naftogaz, runs out on 31 December.

EC officials say both the Ukrainians and Europeans have substantial levels of gas storage in case of disruption but admit that, if this winter is as cold as that of 2005 - the coldest for 60 years - the reliability of supplies will be in serious question.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/dec/22/ukraine-russia-gazprom

Growing signs of workers’ unrest in China
By John Chan
22 December 2008

A series of protests in China, involving state enterprise workers, labourers laid off from export firms as well as teachers, taxi drivers and demobilised soldiers, point to growing social unrest as the global economic crisis impacts on jobs and living standards.

Last Friday, workers from the bankrupt Jianrong Suitcase Factory in Dongguan city evaded a police cordon and took to the streets to protest over unpaid wages. About 100 marched out of the factory, pushing through 30 or so riot police and shouting "We have no human rights here." One of the workers said: "They don't want us to come out and have the international media cover our protest."

Zhang Guohua told the Associated Press that the Japanese-owned factory had shut down suddenly last Monday. The owner fled with employees being owed up to two and a half months' pay. Zhang said his monthly salary was 2,000 yuan ($US290), although many others earned just half that amount. The laid-off workers held a protest outside the factory but the management refused to negotiate.

On Thursday, some 300 workers gathered outside the Dongguan city government office to demand action by local authorities. Determined to wait for a resolution, the protesters stayed outside the government office overnight before being driven back to the factory dormitories by riot police backed by police dogs. About a dozen protesters received hospital treatment after being injured in clashes with police.

Fearing that a prolonged protest could trigger broader unrest, the local government offered on Friday to pay 60 percent of the last month's wage. Workers, however, rejected the offer. With declining revenues from a slowing local economy, the Dongguan city government has limited resources to pay an ever-larger army of unemployed workers. The once booming manufacturing centre has been hit hard by declining export orders.

On December 9, 1,000 workers at the Hong Kong-based Wanxun factory in Dongguan suddenly found that the owner had disappeared with the assets. Equipment from the factory, which manufactured CDs and DVDs, had already been sold. In order to placate angry workers, the local government promised to pay three months in owed wages.

According to the Dongguan Labour Bureau, there were 117 cases involving 20,000 workers in September and October of factory owners vanishing without paying their employees. This figure is just the tip of the iceberg, however. The official Xinhua newsagency forecast last Thursday that 6.5 million rural migrant workers, the mainstay of China's manufacturing and construction industries, could lose their jobs next year.

The latest "2009 Social Blue Book" issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences warned the urban unemployment rate could reach 9.4 percent next year—more than double the current official rate of 4 percent. It predicted that the joblessness rate among college graduates would be 12 percent. More than 4 million unemployed migrant workers have reportedly already returned home early before Chinese New Year in late January.

Factory closures are just one source of rising discontent. From December 8 to 10, hundreds of workers protested outside two electronics factories in Shanghai, demanding payment of overdue wages. The two plants making parts and batteries for laptop computers and printers are affiliated to Singapore-based Huan Hsin Holdings. Police cordoned off one of the factories and scuffles broke out with workers. Several employees were beaten up by gangsters hired by the firm.

The workers involved earned just 960 yuan ($US140) a month. They were demanding overtime payments and other bonuses as stipulated by law before moving to other plants owned by the same firm or undertaking further training. Under the country's Labour Contract Law, the company was liable to pay employees extra for working in temperatures over 33 degrees Celsius and for working on the 12-hour night shift.

The Labour Contract Law implemented earlier this year was drawn up when the Chinese economy was booming, with growth rates of more than 10 percent a year. The aim was to head off disaffection among workers over glaring social inequality and poor wages and conditions. Now that the demand for Chinese exports has plummeted, many companies are simply ignoring the law's requirements for extra payments and greater job security.

The labour discontent is not confined to export industries. On December 2, 500 workers at one of China's largest state-owned non-ferrous metals firms—Shaoguan Smelter (Shaoye) in Shaoguan city in Guangdong Province—blocked a major highway for more than two hours. They had been effectively laid off after the management refused to renew their contracts.

The fate of the Shaoye workers reflects the deep crisis in heavy industry as construction and manufacturing throughout China contracts. During the economic boom, wages at the smelter were not increased despite record prices of over 30,000 yuan a tonne for zinc and 1,800 yuan a tonne for sulphuric acid. Prices have now fallen to 18,000 yuan and 80 yuan respectively, reflecting the global collapse of commodity prices, and management has sacked the workers.

Global capitalism is heavily dependent on China as a source of cheap labour, raising concerns in financial circles about the political impact of widespread unemployment. The Financial Times warned on December 16: "The real threat to the [Chinese Communist] party-state would be large protests in urban areas that fed into each other and showed co-ordination. But the recent demonstrations have tended to be small and focused on local issues rather than showing general discontent."

Although, at this stage, it appears that protests are relatively small and isolated, most demonstrations are simply not reported. The international coverage of the protest by Jianrong Suitcase Factory workers is the exception, not the rule. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime, which is deeply fearful of any movement in the working class, uses its police-state apparatus to censor and suppress any sign of discontent.

The last great upheaval of the Chinese working class was in May-June 1989, when millions of workers, angry over the social impact of pro-market policies, joined students in Beijing and other cities protesting the lack of democratic rights. Terrified that the movement was spiralling out of control, the regime sent troops and tanks against unarmed workers and youth in Tiananmen Square and cracked down on opposition around the country.

Zhou Xiaozheng, a sociologist at the People's University in Beijing, told the Los Angeles Times on December 12: "Definitely, this is the most serious problem we have seen since 1989. You have millions of college students who can't find jobs... You have migrant workers who have lost their jobs at factories and don't have land to go back to."

The working class is far larger and more concentrated than in 1989. Foreign capital has poured into the country over the past two decades because investors took the Tiananmen Square massacre as a sign that Beijing would do whatever was necessary to discipline workers. Since then, another 200 million peasants have been transformed into wage workers. Moreover, the social position of peasantry, on which the CCP has traditionally rested, has deteriorated dramatically. There is no reason to believe that the rural poor will sit passively by as urban workers protested—as happened in 1989.

Furthermore, the state apparatus itself is not immune from social discontent. Frustration over jobs, pay and conditions is widespread. On November 21, 1,000 demobilised troops, demanding to meet with government officials over jobs, clashed with 500 police in Tainan city. About 200 were subsequently arrested. On December 2, hundreds of traffic police in Leiyang city smashed the local CCP offices in protest over low pay—the first police demonstration since the 1970s.

The CCP regime is well aware that it is sitting on top of a social time bomb. That is why any even limited protest, such as that by Jianrong Suitcase Factory workers last Friday, is immediately repressed for fear that it may trigger a broader movement.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/chin-d22.shtml

Flying J, Oil Refiner, Transporter, Files Bankruptcy
By Steven Church

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Flying J Inc., an oil refiner, transporter and travel-center owner, filed for bankruptcy, blaming a cash crisis brought on by declines in oil prices.

The Ogden, Utah-based company listed assets of more than $1 billion and debt of $500 million to $1 billion in court documents filed today in Wilmington, Delaware.

Flying J expects to recover from “the precipitous drop in the price of oil” by reorganizing under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code, Chief Executive Officer J. Phillip Adams said in court papers.

The company employs about 16,000 people and is among the 20 biggest closely held companies in the U.S., with sales of more than $16.2 billion in 2007, according to court records. Founded in 1968 with four gasoline stations, it now operates 200 travel centers, two refineries and a 700-mile (1,126-kilometer) pipeline that carries gasoline and diesel from Houston to El Paso, Texas, according to court filings.

Flying J’s cash crisis has grown as oil prices have tumbled, Adams said in court documents. Since September, the company’s access to cash has dropped by $155 million.

On Dec. 19, Bank of American NA seized a “substantial sum of cash” from one of Flying J’s units because the company had allegedly violated loan terms. The bank is the agent for lenders owed $395 million. The next day, another agent refused to allow a different Flying J unit from withdrawing cash from an account, the company said.

Affiliates Longhorn Partners Pipeline LP, Longhorn Pipeline Holdings and Longhorn Pipeline, Big West of California, Big West Oil, Big West Transportation, also sought protection.

SemGroup Bankruptcy

Flying J is the latest energy company to file bankruptcy as prices fall. SemGroup LP filed for bankruptcy in July after margin calls on trades in energy futures and options sank the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company, which had assets of $7.66 billion, according to court papers.

VeraSun Energy Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection in October, blaming swings in the price of corn, the main ingredient for ethanol.

In addition to the $395 million loan, Flying J and its units also owe $166 million on a note issued in 2006 to buy the oil pipeline and $188 million on a revolving credit account.

The 30 largest consolidated creditors without collateral supporting their claims include Zion Bank, owed $85.8 million; ConocoPhillips, owed $69.4 million; Berry Petroleum Co., owed $26.1 million; Houston Refining LP, owed $19.1 million; and BP Oil Co., owed $17.5 million.

The case is In re Longhorn Partners Pipeline LP, 08-13384, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aity2N8JKObo&refer=us

U.S. Economy: Home Prices Fall Near Depression Pace
Dec. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Sales of single-family houses in the U.S. dropped in November by the most in two decades and resale prices collapsed at a pace reminiscent of the Great Depression, dashing speculation the market was close to a bottom.

Purchases of both new and existing houses dropped 7.6 percent from the prior month, the biggest decline since January 1989, to an annual rate of 4.43 million, government and industry figures showed today. A 13 percent drop in the median resale price from a year earlier was the most since records began in 1968 and was likely the largest since the 1930s, the National Association of Realtors said.

“Housing is still in a freefall,” said Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts.

The figures were worse than economists had forecast and signal that the battered housing market that led the economy into a recession may be taking another lurch down. Sliding property values mean more Americans will be under water on their mortgages, destroying household wealth and undermining consumers’ purchasing power.

President-elect Barack Obama plans an unprecedented economic stimulus to restore growth, and pledged on Dec. 13 to limit foreclosures. One tenth of U.S. families who own a home are in financial distress, Obama said.

“We need desperately to get this economy moving,” Vice President-elect Joseph Biden, who is leading the incoming administration’s initiative to bolster the middle class, told reporters before a meeting with Obama’s economic advisers today. Transition officials are “getting very close” to an agreement with lawmakers on the size of the stimulus, Biden said.

Below Estimates

The Realtors’ figures showed home resales, including condos, fell 8.6 percent to an annual rate of 4.49 million, below all but one estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 63 economists. The median resale price dropped to $181,300.

Separately, the Commerce Department reported that new-home sales fell 2.9 percent last month to a 17-year low of 407,000. The median sales price declined 11.5 percent from a year earlier to $220,400.

The Standard & Poor’s supercomposite of homebuilder stocks fell 2 percent to close at 205.44 in New York, the fourth straight decline. The index is down a third so far this year. The S&P 500 Stock Index, which fell as much as 22 percent in November, dropped 1 percent today.

Buyers Scared Off

Last month’s stock market collapse combined with rising unemployment to scare off home buyers, Lawrence Yun, the Realtors’ chief economist, said at a press conference.

“The economy was really starting to feel the smack-in-the- face blow from the financial crisis” during November, said David Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities International Inc. in New York.

U.S. household wealth already fell in the third quarter by the most on record, Federal Reserve figures showed earlier this month. Net worth for households and non-profit groups decreased by $2.81 trillion, the most since the Fed’s data began in 1952.

The number of previously owned unsold homes on the market at the end of November represented 11.2 months’ worth at the current sales pace, up from 10.3 months’ at the end of the prior month.

Foreclosures and short sales accounted for 45 percent of last month’s home purchases, Yun said.

Regional Breakdown

Purchases of total existing homes declined in all regions of the country, led by drops of 12 percent in the Northeast and 10.9 percent in the South. Prices also fell throughout the country, led by a decline of 25.5 percent in the West.

Resales account for about 90 percent of the housing market. Sales of existing homes are compiled from contract closings and may reflect contracts signed one or two months earlier. New-home sales, recorded when a contract is signed, are considered by economists to be a more timely barometer.

The hew-home sales report showed builders succeeded in trimming inventories even faster than sales dropped. The number of new homes for sale fell a record 7 percent to a seasonally adjusted 374,000, the fewest since February 2004.

The supply of new homes at the current sales rate dropped to 11.5 months’ worth from 11.8 months the prior month.

Resler said today’s figures show the housing market has “not yet seen any of the impact from the drop in mortgage rates.”

The Fed on Dec. 16 cut its benchmark interest rate target to a range of zero to 0.25 percent and reiterated it stands ready to expand purchases of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Federal Home Loan Bank debt under a program aimed at reducing mortgage costs. That program has helped drive mortgage rates lower.

Mortgage Rate

The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate loan fell to 5.18 percent in the week ended Dec. 12, the lowest in more than five years, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Ara Hovnanian, chief executive officer of Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., New Jersey’s biggest homebuilder, called on the government to provide an economic stimulus for the housing industry.

“If government wants to get to the root of the problem they need to fix housing first,” Hovnanian said in a conference call on Dec. 17. Hovnanian, whose company reported a fiscal fourth quarter loss, didn’t specify what type of government intervention he wants in the housing market.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQ7HBEgYCzUE&refer=home

Labour MPs revolt over Brown's plan to charge 27% interest on emergency loans to poor
Gordon Brown and his Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell were last night accused of behaving ‘like loan sharks’ over plans to slap punishingly high interest rates on vital loans to the poor.

In an astonishing move, rebel Labour MPs joined forces with David Cameron’s Tories to accuse the Government of penalising hundreds of thousands of families on benefits who get interest-free cash advances to cover the cost of unforeseen crises.

More than one million individual loans worth over £600million were paid out from the Government’s social fund last year to hard-up people – many of them disabled – who struggled to afford to repair a broken boiler or cope with some other domestic emergency.
However, in a provocative move, Mr Purnell wants to start charging 26.8 per cent on new loans – the sort of punitive rate found on High Street store cards and way above normal credit-card rates.

This would add nearly £50 to the cost of an average £433 loan and saddle the borrowers, who are almost all on State benefits, with an extra four weeks of repayments.

Senior Labour MP Terry Rooney, chairman of the Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee, led an all-party attack on the proposal. ‘Whoever dreamed this up, particularly at this time of year, must have lost their moral compass,’ he said.

‘It cannot be right to start charging almost 27 per cent interest on loans to the poorest people, who currently pay zero interest.’

Mr Rooney believed that the plan, outlined in a consultation document produced by the Department for Work and Pensions, was a cynical cost-cutting ploy to stop poor families getting the money they need.

He added: ‘I fail to see how Mr Purnell can reconcile raising interest rates for the poor with the Prime Minister’s repeated calls to the banks to pass on interest-rate cuts to struggling mortgage holders. There will be one hell of a row over this.’

Ronnie Campbell, Labour MP for Blyth Valley, said: ‘James Purnell makes me ashamed to be a member of the Labour Party. It is a disgrace the way he is hitting the poor. Not even the Tories would try to do this.’

Labour MPs also suspect that Mr Purnell is worried that the cost of the social fund will rocket as unemployment soars and thousands more people apply for help.

In an embarrassing development for the Government, Labour MPs received support from Tory Work and Pensions spokesman

Chris Grayling, who called on the Government to scrap the plan. ‘This is beyond outrageous,’ he said. ‘It’s nothing more than James Purnell and Gordon Brown re-inventing themselves as loan sharks.

‘That any Government would even consider imposing swingeing interest rates on unemployed people in the middle of a recession is just extraordinary. It’s a sign that this Government is utterly out of touch with what is really going on in Britain.’

And Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said: ‘This proposal is perverse and inhumane. The principle of social funds is that they are interest-free to help people cope with emergencies.’

Mr Purnell’s document, which suggests that non-profit-making credit unions could run the loans, spells out in stark terms how the poorest families in Britain would be hit hard in the pocket under the new system. It says: ‘Interest would be charged ...at affordable rates compared to those charged by commercial lenders in the same market.

‘We propose to set it at the maximum charged by credit unions of two per cent per month – 26.8 APR.

‘In 2007-08, the average initial budgeting loan award was £433.30. The estimated average loan repayment for all loans was £10.54 a week. If interest were charged at two per cent a month, it would take 46 weeks instead of 42 to repay such a loan at such a repayment rate, with a total interest paid of £47.80.’

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, whose members administer the social fund, said: ‘This might start with credit unions, but it will become a Trojan horse for the private sector to charge loan-shark rates for distributing public money.

‘It is scandalous that in these dire economic times, vulnerable people in financial difficulties could be exposed to profiteering. Interest of 26.8 per cent rates alongside some of the most expensive store cards.’

But the Government hit back last night, saying that under the proposed scheme, hard-up families would benefit from new advice on how to manage household budgets.

It said it would also be easier and quicker to get the loans, which would become available to working people on low incomes as well as those on benefits.

In the consultation document, Mr Purnell signalled that simply handing people interest-free loans without financial advice did little to help them manage their money.

‘We want to improve the help we give people when many are struggling,’ he said. ‘The social fund helps with money problems in the short term, but not the underlying problems of managing a limited budget.’

Last night, Work and Pensions Minister Kitty Ussher conceded that there was ‘very strong opposition’ to the plans.

But she dismissed the idea that the social fund was heading for loan-shark levels of interest, pointing out that ‘doorstep lenders can legally charge 180 to 240 per cent. Illegal loan sharks have been known to charge up to 1,000 per cent’.

It is not the first time Gordon Brown has been accused of betraying the poor. As Chancellor, he was criticised for approving a meagre 75p-a-week increase in the State pension. And this year, he was forced to climb down over his decision to scrap the 10p tax rate.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/mailonsunday/article-1099183/Labour-MPs-revolt-Browns-plan-charge-27-emergency-loans-poor.html

U.S. Military Preparing for Domestic Disturbances
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:14 PM
By: Jim Meyers
A new report from the U.S. Army War College discusses the use of American troops to quell civil unrest brought about by a worsening economic crisis.
The report from the War College’s Strategic Studies Institute warns that the U.S. military must prepare for a “violent, strategic dislocation inside the United States” that could be provoked by “unforeseen economic collapse” or “loss of functioning political and legal order.”
Entitled “Known Unknowns: Unconventional ‘Strategic Shocks’ in Defense Strategy Development,” the report was produced by Nathan Freier, a recently retired Army lieutenant colonel who is a professor at the college — the Army’s main training institute for prospective senior officers.
He writes: “To the extent events like this involve organized violence against local, state, and national authorities and exceed the capacity of the former two to restore public order and protect vulnerable populations, DoD [Department of Defense] would be required to fill the gap.”
Freier continues: “Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defend basic domestic order … An American government and defense establishment lulled into complacency by a long-secure domestic order would be forced to rapidly divest some or most external security commitments in order to address rapidly expanding human insecurity at home.”
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn warned last week of riots and unrest in global markets if the ongoing financial crisis is not addressed and lower-income households are beset with credit constraints and rising unemployment, the Phoenix Business Journal reported.
Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma and Rep. Brad Sherman of California disclosed that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson discussed a worst-case scenario as he pushed the Wall Street bailout in September, and said that scenario might even require a declaration of martial law.
The Army College report states: “DoD might be forced by circumstances to put its broad resources at the disposal of civil authorities to contain and reverse violent threats to domestic tranquility. Under the most extreme circumstances, this might include use of military force against hostile groups inside the United States.
“Further, DoD would be, by necessity, an essential enabling hub for the continuity of political authority in a multi-state or nationwide civil conflict or disturbance.”
He concludes this section of the report by observing: “DoD is already challenged by stabilization abroad. Imagine the challenges associated with doing so on a massive scale at home."
As Newsmax reported earlier, the Defense Department has made plans to deploy 20,000 troops nationwide by 2011 to help state and local officials respond to emergencies.
The 130-year-old Posse Comitatus Act restricts the military’s role in domestic law enforcement. But a 1994 Defense Department Directive allows military commanders to take emergency actions in domestic situations to save lives, prevent suffering or mitigate great property damage, according to the Business Journal.
And Gen. Tommy Franks, who led the U.S. military operations to liberate Iraq, said in a 2003 interview that if the U.S. is attacked with a weapon of mass destruction, the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government.
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/military_domestic_use/2008/12/23/164765.html?s=al&promo_code=%20763B-1

Eeyores Very Important News of Your Life

Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luk 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because (he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luk 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luk 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luk 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luk 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luk 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luk 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 10:11 For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Eeyore's News and View

'Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bibles were left on the shelf without care,
For no one thought that Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker with baby in her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
The light of His face made me cover my head--
It was Jesus returning, just as He said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I'd known that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all.

--AUDRY PATRICIA WOOLVERTON

I was not going to post this right after the first poem, but it is true and it does not demean the first one.

  The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
       I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
       My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
       My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
       Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
       Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

       The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
       Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
       My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
       Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
       In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
       So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

       The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
       But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
       Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
       sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
       My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
       And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

       Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
       A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
       A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
       Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
       Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
       Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

       'What are you doing?' I asked without fear,
       'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
       Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
       You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!'
       For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
       Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

       To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
       Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right,
       I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'
       'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
       That separates you from the darkest of times.

       No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
       I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
       My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,'
       Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.' My dad
stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
       And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

       I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
       But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
       Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
       The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
       I can live through the cold and the being alone,
       Away from my family, my house and my home.

       I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
       I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
       I can carry the weight of killing another,
       Or lay down my life with my sister and brother...
       Who stand at the front against any and all,
       To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'

       '  So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright,
       Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'
       'But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
       'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?
       It seems all too little for all that you've done,
       For being away from your wife and your son.'

       Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
       'Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
       To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
       To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
       For when we come home, either standing or dead,
       To know you remember we fought and we bled.
       Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
       That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'

Wildlife experts ponder gender of Santa's reindeer December 19, 2008 - 5:39am
In this Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 file photo, the original Santa Claus and Rudolph puppets from the TV special "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," are seen on display at the Time and Space Toys booth during the Mid-Ohio-Con comic book convention in Columbus, Ohio. There may be a perfectly good reason why Santa doesn't get lost on his annual Christmas globetrot: His fictional flying reindeer just might be females who don't mind stopping for directions. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
By BETSY BLANEY Associated Press Writer
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - There may be a perfectly good reason why Santa doesn't get lost on his annual Christmas globetrot: His flying reindeer just might be female and don't mind stopping for directions.
The gender of Rudolph and his or her sleigh-hauling friends _ the subject of goofy Internet chatter every year around this time _ is now being pondered by renowned wildlife experts at Texas A&M University.
"Santa's reindeers were really females, most likely," said Alice Blue-McLendon, a veterinary medicine professor specializing in deer who cites the depictions of Santa's helpers with antlers as the primary evidence. It turns out reindeer grow antlers regardless of gender, and most bulls typically shed their fuzzy protrusions before Christmas.
But Santa's sleigh helpers might also be castrated males, known as steers, said Greg Finstad, who manages the Reindeer Research Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Young steers finish shedding their antlers in February and March, just as non-expecting females do. Bulls generally lose theirs before Christmas, while expectant mothers retain their antlers until calves are birthed in the spring. This allows them to protect food resources through harsh weather and to have enough for developing fetuses, he said.
Sledders most often use steers because they maintain their body condition throughout the winter, he said. Bulls are tuckered out from rutting season when they mate with as many as a dozen females in the months leading up to December. That leaves them depleted and too lean to pull a sleigh or sled through heavy snows, Finstad said.
Many females are pregnant after rutting season, which lasts from summer and into the fall. That would mean long hours of backbreaking work for an expecting Rudolph, as well as Donner, Blitzen, Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet and Vixen.
"You don't hook up your pregnant females to a sled," Finstad said. "That is not good animal husbandry."
But other aaspects of the Christmas story support the all-girl sleigh team theory, Blue-McLendon said.
For example, would a boy reindeer really sport a shiny red nose that almost glows?
"Females like accessories," said Blue-McLendon, who in 2003 led the school's cloning of a white-tailed deer. "I think that fits because females like bling. We like shiny stuff."
As for the reindeer games, forget the rough antler-smashing stuff. Blue-McLendon suggests a female Rudolph would be more up for "games of wit."
And as for the name, Rudolph could certainly still work.
"Why not?" Blue-McLendon said. "I know women named Charlie."
___
On the Net:
Reindeer Research Program in Alaska: http://reindeer.salrm.uaf.edu/about_reindeer
Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.cvm.tamu.edu

"The Rudolph Story"

On a December night in Chicago several years ago, a little girl climbed onto her father's lap and asked a question. It was a simple
question, asked in children's curiosity, yet it had a heart rending effect on Robert May.

"Daddy," four-year old Barbara asked, "Why isn't my Mommy just like everybody else's mommy?" Bob May stole a glance across his shabby two room apartment. On a couch lay his young wife, Evelyn, racked with cancer. For two years she had been bedridden; for two years, all Bob's income and smaller savings had gone to pay for treatments and medicines.

The terrible ordeal already had shattered two adult lives. Now Bob suddenly realized the happiness of his growing daughter was also in
jeopardy. As he ran his fingers through Barbara's hair, he prayed for some satisfactory answer to her question.

Bob May knew only too well what it meant to be "different." As a child he had been weak and delicate. With the innocent cruelty of
children, his playmates had continually goaded the stunted, skinny lad to tears. Later at Dartmouth, from which he was graduated in
1926, Bob May was so small that he was always being mistaken for someone's little brother.

Nor was his adult life much happier. Unlike many of his classmates who floated from college into plush jobs, Bob became a lowly copy writer for Montgomery Ward, the big Chicago mail order house. Now at 33 Bob was deep in debt, depressed and sad.

Although Bob did not know it at the time, the answer he gave the tousled haired child on his lap was to bring him to fame and fortune. It was also to bring joy to countless thousands of children like his own Barbara. On that December night in the shabby Chicago apartment, Bob cradled his little girl's head against his shoulder and began to tell a story...

"Once upon a time there was a reindeer named Rudolph, the only reindeer in the world that had a big red nose. Naturally people called him Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." As Bob went on to tell about Rudolph, he tried desperately to communicate to Barbara the knowledge that, even though some creatures of God are strange and different, they often enjoy the miraculous power to make others happy.

Rudolph, Bob explained, was terribly embarrassed by his unique nose. Other reindeer laughed at him; his mother and father and sister were mortified, too. Even Rudolph wallowed in self pity. "Well," continued Bob, "one Christmas Eve, Santa Claus got his team of husky reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen ready for their yearly trip around the world. The entire reindeer community assembled to cheer these great heroes on their way. But a terrible fog engulfed the earth that evening, and Santa knew that the mist was so thick he wouldn't be able to find any chimneys.

Suddenly Rudolph appeared, his red nose glowing brighter than ever. Santa sensed at once that here was the answer to his perplexing problem. He led Rudolph to the front of the sleigh, fastened the harness and climbed in. They were off! Rudolph guided Santa safely to every chimney that night. Rain and fog, snow and sleet; nothing bothered Rudolph, for his bright nose penetrated the mist like a beacon.

And so it was that Rudolph became the most famous and beloved of all the reindeer. The huge red nose he once hid in shame was now the envy of every buck and doe in the reindeer world. Santa Claus told everyone that Rudolph had saved the day and from that Christmas, Rudolph has been living serenely and happy."

Little Barbara laughed with glee when her father finished. Every night she begged him to repeat the tale until finally Bob could rattle it off in his sleep. Then, at Christmas time he decided to make the story into a poem like "The Night Before Christmas" and prepare it in bookish form illustrated with pictures, for Barbara's personal gift. Night after night, Bob worked on the verses after Barbara had gone to bed for he was determined his daughter should have a worthwhile gift, even though he could not afford to buy one...

Then as Bob was about to put the finishing touches on Rudolph, tragedy struck. Evelyn May died. Bob, his hopes crushed, turned to
Barbara as chief comfort. Yet, despite his grief, he sat at his desk in the quiet, now lonely apartment, and worked on "Rudolph" with
tears in his eyes.

Shortly after Barbara had cried with joy over his handmade gift on Christmas morning, Bob was asked to an employee's holiday party at Montgomery Wards. He didn't want to go, but his office associates insisted. When Bob finally agreed, he took with him the poem and read it to the crowd. First the noisy throng listened in laughter and gaiety. Then they became silent, and at the end, broke into spontaneous applause. That was in 1938.

By Christmas of 1947, some 6,000,000 copies of the booklet had been given away or sold, making Rudolph one of the most widely
distributed books in the world. The demand for Rudolph sponsored products, increased so much in variety and number that educators and historians predicted Rudolph would come to occupy a permanent place in the Christmas legend.

Through the years of unhappiness, the tragedy of his wife's death and his ultimate success with Rudolph, Bob May has captured a sense of serenity. And as each Christmas rolls around he recalls with thankfulness the night when his daughter Barbara's questions,
inspired him to write the story.

One of the deepest and richest Christmas carols of all was written by Charles Wesley in 1739 -- "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."

The Wesley brothers, John and Charles, were used by God to bring about a revival in England that spread to America in the Great Awakening. While John was best known for his powerful preaching, Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote this and 6,500 other hymns to instruct converts in the great truths of the Christian faith. A few of his best-known hymns include "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" (1739), "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (1747), and "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (1749). He also wrote another popular Christmas carol, "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" (1744) and two well-known Easter hymns, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" (1739) and "Rejoice, the Lord Is King" (1746).

Any of his hymns would make for a rich Bible study, but I want to invite you to consider "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" for the richness of its Scriptural allusions and teachings. The carol includes references to a number of the Messianic prophecies pointing to the birth of the Messiah. The song is also rich in theological themes of what Christ did for us -- known technically as Christology, Incarnation, Atonement, Resurrection, the Fall of Man, Total Depravity, and Sanctification -- the renewal of the image of Christ in the believer, Christ being formed in us.

I encourage you to study this Christmas carol by reading the stanza, finding the italicized words, and then looking up each scripture verse that they refer to. For some of these themes, the verses I have listed only scratch the surface, but there are enough to help you explore these them with great profit. You may use this study by yourself, with your family, or with a Sunday school class or small group. Just be sure that you limber up your fingers ahead of time so that you're ready to find these passages in your Bible.

1.	Hark! The herald angels sing,	Luke 2:10
	"Glory to the newborn King;
	Peace on earth, and mercy mild,	Luke 2:14; 1:78
	God and sinners reconciled!"	2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Colossians 1:20-22
	Joyful, all ye nations rise,	Revelation 21:24; Haggai 2:6-7
	Join the triumph of the skies;
	With th’ angelic host proclaim,	Luke 2:10-11; Matthew 1:4-6; Micah 5:2
	"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
	Hark! the herald angels sing,
	"Glory to the newborn King!"	Matthew 2:2
2.	Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;	Luke 2:9-14; Revelation 5:13; Hebrews 1:6
	Christ the everlasting Lord;	Revelation 22:12-13
	Late in time, behold Him come,	Galatians 4:4
	Offspring of a virgin’s womb.	Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-38
	Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;	Hebrews 10:20. Godhead means "divine nature or essence; divinity; God; the nature of God, especially as existing in three persons" (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition)
	Hail th’ incarnate Deity,	Incarnation is a theological term which refers to the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ, from in + carne, flesh. There are many, many NT scriptures on this central doctrine of the Christian faith. See below.
	Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,	John 1:14; Romans 1:3; 8:3; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:7-8; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:3; 2:9-11; 1 John 4:2-3; 2 John 1:7; Revelation 22:16
	Jesus our Emmanuel.	Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23. "Emmanuel" means in Hebrew, "God with us" -- the truth of the incarnation in a single word!
3.	Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace!	Isaiah 9:6
	Hail the Sun of Righteousness!	Malachi 4:2
	Light and life to all He brings,	John 1:4, 10; 8:12; 2 Timothy 1:10
	Ris’n with healing in His wings.	Malachi 4:2. "Wings" refers to "rays" of the sun.
	Mild He lays His glory by,	Philippians 2:6-8; John 17:5, 24. Theologically this is called the Kenosis, Jesus emptying of himself and his glory, so that he might become a human.
	Born that man no more may die.	John 11:25-26
	Born to raise the sons of earth,	1 Corinthians 15:35-57. The doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead.
	Born to give them second birth.	John 1:13; 3:3, 6; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; Titus 3:5
4.	Come, Desire of nations, come,	Haggai 2:6-7
	Fix in us Thy humble home;	Ephesians 3:17; Romans 8:9
	Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,	Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20. This ancient messianic prophecy of Christ crushing Satan the serpent. The hymn is calling on Christ to crush Satan's work in us, the old, sinful nature.
	Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
	Now display Thy saving power,	Hebrews 7:25 and many verses.
	Ruined nature now restore;	Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10; Romans 12:2
	Now in mystic union join	Ephesians 5:31-32; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 6:5
	Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.	Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
5.	Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,	Romans 5:12-21, especially 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22
	Stamp Thine image in its place:	Genesis 1:26-27; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:23-24
	Second Adam from above,	Romans 5:12-21, especially 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:47
	Reinstate us in Thy love.
	Let us Thee, though lost, regain	Philippians 3:8-11; Luke 19:10, a prayer for restoration of the broken relationship with God.
	Thee, the Life, the inner man:	John 14:6; 1 John 5:11-12. Ephesians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:4
	O, to all Thyself impart,	Jeremiah 31:34. Habakkuk 2:14. Philippians 3:8-11
	Formed in each believing heart.	Galatians 4:19; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 1:27; 3:10

http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/hark-herald-angels-sing.htm

The Story of Silent Night, Stille Nacht

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
The phrase repeats itself over and over again in his mind:

Silent night, holy night,
Stille nacht, heilige nacht.

Father Joseph Mohr, Parish Priest

It's the first line from a poem this young Austrian priest had written two years before. Now he can't get the phrase out of his mind. "Silent night, holy night."

Tonight is Christmas Eve and St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, north of Salzburg, will be chock-full of people. Father Joseph Mohr has a homily in mind, a message for his flock on this sacred night, but he needs a carol, something special to cap off the service.

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright...

The words won't go away. "I need a tune!" he says out loud, shaking his head. "I wonder if Franz can help me. I hope it's not too late." Franz Gruber is the schoolteacher in the nearby village of Arnsdorf -- a gifted musician, organist at the Arnsdorf church, and occasional substitute organist at St. Nicholas. "Franz will help me!" he says to himself. "He can't resist a musical challenge."

Franz Gruber, Schoolteacher and Organist

Quickly now he slings on his heavy coat, dons a fur cap and gloves, and ventures into the brisk December morning. The snow is crunchy underfoot as he makes his way across the churchyard towards Arnsdorf, just a 20 minute walk. "Silent night, holy night ... silent night, holy night." The rhythm of the words echoes with each step.

Elizabeth opens the door at his knock. "Father Mohr, how nice of you to stop by. Franz will be glad to see you." She takes his coat and ushers him in. Franz is picking something out on his guitar.

"Franz, remember that poem I told you about: 'Silent Night'?" says Mohr. "I know it's too late to ask, but could you help put a tune to it? I want to sing it tonight for Christmas Eve."

Gruber's face lights up. A challenge. A song. He takes the lyrics from the priest and begins to say them over and over, looking for a cadence. Then he hums a line and scratches it down.

Mohr soon tires of the process and begins to play with the children. But within an hour or so, Gruber seems to have a melody and is working out the chords on his guitar. "Father, how does this sound?" he calls and begins to sing the words:

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm all is bright...

He stops to make a correction in the manuscript, and then continues:

...'Round yon virgin, Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!

Father Mohr is ecstatic. On the second verse Gruber's deep voice is joined by Mohr's rich tenor. Elizabeth, baby on her hip, who has been humming along, now joins them on the last verse. The song fills their home with its gentle words and memorable melody.

New Year's Eve at St. Nicholas Church, Oberndorf, 1818

That night, December 24, 1818, the song fills St. Nicholas Church at Midnight Mass. Mohr sings tenor, Gruber bass, and the church choir joins the refrain of each verse, while Mohr accompanies on the guitar. By the time the last notes die away, the worshipers are a-buzz with joy and wonder at the song. On Christmas Day, the song is being hummed and sung in dozens of homes around Oberndorf. "Silent night, holy night."

And in Oberndorf, they would sing their beloved carol again and again each Christmas. The song might have stayed right there had it not been for an organ builder named Karl Mauracher, who came to repair the pipe organ at Arnsdorf in 1819 and made several trips to Oberndorf over the next few years, finally building a new organ for St. Nicholas in 1825.

The Song Finds Its Way to Emperors and Kings -- and to America

Whether Mauracher found the music and lyrics on the organ or they were given to him by Gruber, we don't know. But he carried the song to the Ziller Valley east of Innsbruk, where he shared it with two local families of travelling folk singers, the Rainers and the Strassers, who began to sing it as part of their regular repertoire. The following Christmas of 1819, the Rainer Family Singers sang "Stille Nacht" in the village church of Fügen (Zillertal).

Three years later they sang it for royalty. Emperor Francis I of Austria and his ally Czar Alexander I of Russia were staying in the nearby castle of Count Dönhoff (now Bubenberg Castle). The Rainer Family performed the carol and were invited to Russia for a series of concerts.

In 1834 the Strasser Family Singers sang "Silent Night" for King Frederick William IV of Prussia. He was so taken with what the Strassers called their "Song of Heaven," that he commanded it to be sung by his cathedral choir every Christmas Eve. It spread through Europe and in 1839 the Raniers brought the song to America as the "Tyrolean Folk Song." Since then it has been translated into over 300 languages and dialects.

Various English translations blossomed, but the definitive English version of the song was penned by Rev. John Freeman Young and first published in The Sunday-School Service and Tune Book (1863).

Why Is "Silent Night" So Popular?

Why has "Silent Night" become our most beloved carol? Is it the words -- tender, intimate, gentle? Or the tune -- so peaceful, so memorable, so easy to play or pick out with one hand on the piano?

It is not a joyous, fast-paced carol like Handel's "Joy to the World." Nor theologically-rich like Charles Wesley's "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." Nor does it have a complex tune like "Angels We Have Heard on High."

Rather, "Silent Night" is quiet and reflective, calling us to meditate on the scene. It is the ambience conveyed by both the gentle words and melody that create from this carol an oasis of peace.

"All is calm, all is bright."

It calls us to dwell on the Madonna and Child --

"'Round yon Virgin, mother and Child,
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace."

You feel as the "shepherds quake at the sight." You can imagine as "heavenly hosts sing Alleluia." And you begin to sing "Alleluia to the King" right along with them.

Rays of backlit brilliance highlight many a religious painting, but here the picture of light is painted in words:

"Glories stream from heaven afar...."

"Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from Thy holy face...."

Just Who is in this manger? What is the significance of this birth? What is Christmas about -- really? Perhaps most of all, "Silent Night" is beloved because it reminds us in its simple, but exceedingly clear way, the truth behind it all -- the truth that changes everything:

"Christ, the Savior is born!"

Sing it again this Christmas and let its gentle peace wash over you and its bold assertion renew your soul.

"Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
"Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!"

http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/silent-night.htm

Who, REALLY, is this man we affectionately call Santa Claus?

What do we REALLY know about Santa?

Is Santa just a jolly ol’, harmless, friendly fellow?

Or is there something or someone else hiding behind jolly ol’ St. Nick?

Before we look at Santa, let’s begin with some basic Bible facts:

The Bible clearly teaches a powerful, rebellious, subtle, evil being called the Devil, Lucifer or Satan. Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. The Bible teaches Satan rebelled against God. And Satan’s reason for rebellion is to be God. Satan’s goal is to de-throne God and persuade mankind to rebel against God. Isaiah 14:12-14 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. The Bible clearly teaches Satan’s primary attack is the most vulnerable. In Luke 10:19, Jesus Christ compares Satan to lightning, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven". Lightning, like Satan, always travels the path of least resistance. The Bible also likens the devil to a "roaring lion" The lion is a "predator of opportunity". The lion looks for the injured, the youngest, the smallest, or the weakest – the one with the least ability to run or fight. So it is with Satan. He’s "seeking" those "whom he may devour". 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: The great German Reformer, Martin Luther writes in his Table Talks: "The devil plagues and torments us in the place where we are most tender and weak. In Paradise, he fell not upon Adam, but upon Eve." (The Table Talk of Martin Luther, #424) The most vulnerable and least resistance are our children. It’s no accident that the Lord Jesus Christ distinctively warns several times against harming or offending these "little ones". Matthew 18:1-6 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. The Lord Jesus invites, and encourages little children to come unto him. The younger years are by far the most spiritually fruitful in the life-cycle of an individual. Mark 10:13-15 13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Luke 18:15-17 15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Without question the most fertile time in the average persons’ life for receiving and trusting the Lord Jesus is the pre-teen years. Any church bus worker or youth worker knows young children are very receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For them that "child like" faith is natural. It’s what the Lord Jesus described in Matthew 10:15. As we get older; the sensual, youthful lusts and logical, carnal mind begin to dominate our minds. And as that happens, our heart becomes hardened and seared to the spiritual things of God. Barna Research Group published a survey conducted among teenagers titled Third Millennium Teens. Under the subtitle "Displacing the Myths", the report said: "The Myth: the teen years are evangelistically productive. The Reality: if they're not saved by age 13, they probably never will be. The report goes on to say, "The data shows clearly that the prime evangelistic years are those before a person becomes a teenager." (George Barna, Third Millennium Teens, p. 65) If the most productive time of salvation are the pre-teen years, and if the pre-teen years are the most vulnerable – does it not stand to reason that Satan would fiercely attack this time? Can we not see the overwhelming evidence of this Satanic attack on our children? From the sexual, sensual music of Brittney Spears, or Nsync, to the occult and witchcraft of Harry Potter – there is an attack aimed directly at our children. It’s blasting from the TV, the music, the Internet, the peer pressure, the public schools – Satan’s attack literally "seeks" to "devour them" into every "nook and cranny". Many parents have been "lullabied to sleep" with the deception that our children are innocently immune to the attack of Satan. There’s a false security that believes our children will naturally "grow out of it" or "they’re just sowing their wild oats" or maybe "they’re just being kids". But the Bible tells a different story. In Mark chapter 9, God details a frightening occurrence. A man brings his "spirit possessed" son to the Lord Jesus Christ. Mark 9:17-29 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. It’s interesting the apostles could not cast out this "kind" (vs 29). Jesus said, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." What kind of possession was it? Is that why the Lord Jesus asked the man "How long is it ago since this came unto him?" And the man answered, "Of a child". Possibly, these "hard to cast out" kind are those that enter in a child. Is it because the "possession" reaches so deep and so strong that they’re almost impossible to remove? In Proverbs 22:6, the Bible explains the lifelong fruits of training a young child in the way he should go. That early training is so strong and so deep – as that child grows and matures – they will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. But. . . The flip side is: if that same child is trained by the ways of Satan and the world, chances are that child will "not depart from it." George Harrison, a devout follower of the Hindu god, Krishna, understood this life-long influence, Harrison told Rolling Stone Magazine: "The main thing is to get the kids. . . nail you when you’re young and brainwash you, then they’ve got you for the rest of your life." George Harrison, Beatles, (Loose Talk, Rolling Stone Magazine, p. 70) It has been stated the foundation of a child is shaped by the time that child is five-years-old, maybe sooner. Without question, the early pre-teen or "Santa Claus" years are some of the most important in a person's life-long development. It has been truthfully said, "The hand that rocks the cradle controls the world." That brings us to Santa. . . Where does Santa Claus fit in the life of a young child? What about the teaching of Santa Claus in the psyche of a child? Is there more to jolly old St. Nick than meets the eye? Is Santa a clever, seemingly harmless, subtle (see Genesis 3:1) attempt to question the truthfulness of God? Is Santa the handiwork of Satan? May I remind you of the "harmless" question, the subtle serpent, asks Eve in the garden? "Yea, hath God said,. . .?" So slight. . . So simple. . . And yet so deadly. . . Not only that. . . Satan’s attack is not necessarily evil, or bad. In fact, it can be good, or even pleasant. The subtle temptation of Genesis reveals Satan’s clever "good and pleasant" message. Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. As Eve saw the forbidden fruit, it was "good" and it was "pleasant" – and yet it was deadly. The Devil is a "master of disguise". He can take that which looks good and pleasant, and seemingly so innocent – and make it so deadly. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:14, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" He doesn’t appear with horns and a pitch fork breathing fire. He might just appear as a pleasant, friendly, fellow, with "a broad face and a round little belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. . ." I believe, and will prove, Santa Claus is a subtle, deadly attack on our children to confuse, doubt and rob their God-ordained "child like" faith. Satan knows, if he can somehow get that child through those fruitful early years without trusting the Lord Jesus Christ – his goal of eternal damnation in hell increases substantially. Let’s take a look a Santa. . . and thou shalt call his name. . . (Matthew 1:21) . . . Santa You ever noticed how easy it is to transform "Satan" from "Santa"? Just move the "n" to the end. And presto! "Satan" appears. . . Hmmm…. An internet Google search on "Satan Claus" [not Santa Claus – but SATAN Claus] found over 1,700 hits! Obviously, there are many that tie the two together. The rearranging of letters (called anagrams) to hide secret names or words has long been practiced in the occult. The Jewish Encyclopedia writes of the Jewish occult book called the Cabala: "The golden age for anagrams began with the Cabala. The Platonists had strange notions as to the influence of anagrammatic virtues, particularly of anagrams evolved from names of persons. It is not surprising, therefore, that the cabalists, like all the Neoplatonists, pretended to discover occult qualities in proper names and in their anagrams." (www.jewishencyclopedia.com) One of the most well known anagram in the occult world is the name of Sanat Kumara. Sanat is better known as Satan. Constance Cumbey writes in her best-selling, new-age expose, The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, ". . . they [New Agers] freely call Sanat Kumara (Satan) 'God'. And their doctrinal reference books by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Alice Ann Bailey freely cross-reference Sanat Kumara with Venus. In occult writings, Lucifer and Venus are one and the same." (Constance Cumbey, The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 138) Texe Marrs writes of 'Sanat' in Dark Secrets of the New Age: ". . . the New Age offers a being called Sanat Kumara. 'Sanat' is obviously a thinly veiled reference to Satan; nevertheless, New Age teachers evidently believe that the new spelling will alleviate the concerns of those not yet ready to confess Satan as their Lord and Messiah." (Texe Marrs, Dark Secrets of the New Age, pp. 79-80) Interesting. . . Where does that put Lord S-A-N-T-A? H.P. Blavatsky, the Satanist and new age teacher writes in The Secret Doctrine: "many a mysterious sacred name. . . conveys to the profane ear no more than some ordinary, and often vulgar [common] word, because it is concealed anagrammatically or otherwise". (H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, Vol II, p. 78) Like S-A-N-T-A? Blavatsky also writes, the name is not important – but the letters. "The name isn't important. It is the letters." (H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, Vol II, p. 350 cited by Gail Riplinger, New Age Versions, p. 52) Make no mistake about it. Blavatasky’s anagrams were used to disguise who her true god was. Blavatasky openly taught Satan is mankind’s true redeemer, creator and Saviour. "And now it stands proven that Satan, or the Red Fiery Dragon, the ‘Lord of Phosphorus’ and Lucifer, or ‘Light Bearer’, is in us; it is our Mind — our tempter and Redeemer, our intelligent liberator and Saviour. . ." (HP Blavatasky, The Secret Doctrine) "Satan, the Serpent of Genesis is the real creator and benefactor, the Father of Spiritual mankind. For it is he . . . who opened the eyes of the automaton (Adam) created by Jehovah. . . he still remains in Esoteric Truth the ever loving messenger . . ." (H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, Vol 3, p. 246) Gail Riplinger writes in her excellent book, New Age Versions on the use of anagrams in the occult world: "Lucifer's True Identity as Satan is Revealed as the Anagram, a Transposition of Letters, To Obscure It. 'Blinds', as esoterics call them, include scrambling the letters of a name to hide the true meaning of a word from the uninitiated." (Gail Riplinger, New Age Versions, p. 52) It’s Interesting Mrs. Riplinger also raises a "red flag" about the anagram Santa: "Gods of the New Age include Sanatan and Sanatsiyata, . . . New Agers say each name is 'concealed anagrammatically' 'and are aliases,' and are 'an anagram used for Occult purposes. Santa, the great usurper of Christ's attention at Christmas, an anagram? "Ole Nick" is listed among the fallen angels or devils in the Dictionary of Fallen Angels. Scholars concur that Christ was born in the fall on the 4th day of the feast of tabernacles. December 25 is actually "the feast in honor of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven, later called Saturnaha by the heathen Romans." (Gail Riplinger, New Age Versions, p. 52) It’s also worth noting, "Santa" is Spanish for "holy". Santa is also from the Latin word "sanctus" which means also "saintly, holy". Our English words "saint, sanctify, et al" comes from "santa". Sounds like Satan’s "I will be like the most High" is at it again. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. Psalm 99:3 God’s name is called "holy" over 40 times in the King James Bible. "Holy Claus". . .? The name "Santa Claus" is also derived from the Dutch "Sinter Klaas," which also was a form of Saint Nicholas. . . . Claus Is "Claus" another anagram for "Lucas"? It’s no secret "Lucas" and "Lucis" is a new-age "code word" for "Lucifer". The Alice Bailey founded new age, occult publishing company was originally named "Lucifer Publishing Company" but in 1924 the name was cleverly changed to "Lucis Trust". By the way, the Lucifer worshipping Lucis Trust is a major player in the works of the United Nations (formerly located in the United Nations building) but now located on "prime-time" 1200 Wall Street. Claus sounds a lot like "claws". Maybe "Santa Claus" means "Satan's Claws"? Like lion's "claws"? Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 . . . Jolly Old St. Nick While Santa and Claus may be disguising their real meaning – there’s no disguising "ol’ St. Nick". He’s a well-known character. Old Nick: "A well-known British name of the Devil. It seems probable that this name is derived from the Dutch Nikken, the devil..." (Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, p.650) Nick, the devil. (Walter W. Sleay, Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, p. 304) "Devil: Besides the name Satan, he is also called Beelzebub, Lucifer . . . and in popular or rustic speech by many familiar terms as Old Nick . . ." (Oxford English Dictionary Vol III D-E) Actor Adam Sandler and New Line Studios are well aware "Nick" is an alias for Satan. Their recent movie "Little Nicky" is about the "son of Satan", hence "Little Nicky". A teaser for the film says, "If your mother was an angel and your father was the devil you'd be messed up too." In the popular Cloud Ten Pictures "Apocalypse" film series Revelation, Tribulation, & Judgment, the Antichrist just so happens to be played by none other than the actor "Nick" Mancuso. Hmmm… The Cloud Ten Pictures are based on Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkin’s popular Left Behind "Apocalypse" book series. Oh, the name of the Antichrist in the Left Behind series? Nicolae "Nick" Carpathia, of course. In fact, one of the books in titled, Nicolae, The Rise of the Antichrist. As we mentioned earlier, "Santa Claus" is derived from the Dutch "Sinter Klaas," which also was a form of Saint Nicholas. It is also interesting, the book American Slang defines the slang word nick: to rob or steal. (Robert L. Chapman, American Slang, p. 297) Reminds me of what the Lord Jesus warned us in John 10: 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way [say a chimney?], the same is a thief and a robber. . . 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:1,9,10 . . . Father Christmas The "Christmas Poem" reads: Hurry up please Christmas Day, When Father Christmas on his sleigh, Comes to pay a visit. Into every house he creeps While each of us soundly sleeps While he pays a visit. The famous anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss writes in his popular analysis of "Father Christmas": "Father Christmas is dressed in scarlet: he is a king. His white beard, his furs and his boots, the sleigh in which he travels evoke winter. He is called 'Father' and he is an old man, thus he incarnates the benevolent form of the authority of the ancients." In other words, "Father Christmas" is God incarnate. Levi-Strauss goes on to write that children believe in him, paying homage to him with letters and prayers. The Devil’s stated goal in Isaiah 14:13-14, is to be god or the "father". To grab that "crown of the Father". And what better "I will be like the most High. . - name to fame" than "Father of Christ-mass". And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 23:9 . . . Kriss Kringle And there’s the friendly, jingle-jangle name of "Kriss Kringle". By far, the name Kriss Kringle is the most blasphemous. With "Kriss", Satan slowly pulls off the mask. There’s no doubt about the intentions of "Kriss Kringle". Believe it or not. . . "Kriss Kringle" is German for "little Christ Child". "Kriss Kringle A US name for Santa Claus derived from the German Christkindl (little Christ child)." (Brewer's Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Phrase and Fable, p. 334) Santa Claus or Kriss Kringle is the counterfeit "Christ Child"! Why do we supposedly celebrate December 25 along with Kriss Kingle? It’s the birth-day of the Christ Child - Kriss Kringle. Do you really believe, in a million years, all these "coincidences" to Satan and blasphemies are just an accident? His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow. . . (Rev. 1:14) His head and his hairs [his beard] were white like wool, as white as SNOW. . . A perfect description of . . . Guess Who? Who's got a beard that's long and white Santa's got a beard that's long and white Must be Santa Must be Santa Must be Santa, Santa Clause But it’s actually . . . The Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 1! Revelation 1:13-15 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs [BEARD] were white like wool, as white as snow;. . . . The poem "The Night Before Christmas" describes Old St. Nick as: "He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes – how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;" The Lord Jesus is also described in Daniel 7: Daniel 7:9 describes the Lord Jesus, as the "Ancient of days", "white hair", a king ("thrones cast down. . . did sit"): Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: . . . Remember when we saw Claude Lévi-Strauss's popular essay of "Father Christmas": "Father Christmas is dressed in scarlet: he is a king. His white beard, his furs and his boots, the sleigh in which he travels evoke winter. He is called 'Father' and he is an old man, thus he incarnates the benevolent form of the authority of the ancients." He is a Father. . . dressed in scarlet. . . He is a king. . . white beard. . . incarnate. . . authority of the ancients. Who is he really describing? Who is this that cometh. . . red in thine apparel (Isaiah 63:2) Who wears boots and a suit of red Santa wears boots and a suit of red Cap on head, suit that's red Special night, beard that's white Must be Santa Must be Santa Must be Santa, Santa Clause And must be. . . (Are you surprised?) The Lord Jesus Christ Isaiah 63:1-2 1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? Revelation 19:11 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Do you get the strangest feeling that someone is "copying" someone? And his feet. . . as if they burned in a furnace (Revelation 1:15) Hmmm. . . ? Now who has their feet in an furnace? Who comes down a chimney into a furnace? chim * ney 1. a structure, usually vertical, containing a passage or flue by which the smoke, gases, etc., of a fire or furnace are carried off and by means of which a draft is created (Webster’s Dictionary) Santa Claus. . . And. . . (You already know who else) Revelation 1:13-15 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. Satan wasn’t just kidding when he said in Isaiah 14:14, ". . . I will be like the most High." The Lord Jesus warned us in John 10 about those that ". . . entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way [like a chimney]. . ." John 10:1, 2, 9,10 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way [like a chimney], the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. A little interesting history on Santa and his chimney: It seems the "chimney tale" came to us via Thor, the mythical god of fire and lightning. Satan (and Thor) are symbolized by the lightning bolt (Luke 10:18). Thor’s name means "thunder". The Thor story goes like this; Most families in the pre-patriarchal Scandinavian world would have an altar to Thor – their fireplace. Every year on his birthday, December 25th (of course) Thor would come down the chimney to his altar of fire, and bring presents to the kiddies. (sound familiar?) Oh yea, Thor was "nicknamed" "Klaus of the cinders" or "Sinter Klaus" (a.k.a Santa Claus), because it was believed he would be "singed" as went into the fireplace. Thor liked to wear furs in red for fire, and white for snow. He is usually pictured with a long white beard. He had a palace in the north. And he also rode through the sky in a sled pulled by two goats, named Gnasher and Crasher. (Sound like someone else we’ve heard of?) Another of Thor’s nickname was "Old Nick." Thor also carried a "trident" – the pitchfork of Satan. Just a coincident. . . ? Hmmm. . . Thor the "god" of thunder, fire and lightning. Sounds a lot like someone else. . . Like maybe. . . Santa and Satan It’s no secret that Thor is also Satan. The rock group KISS, who dressed as "demons from hell" spewed forth fire and blood in their concerts, has a song dedicated to the god of Thor titled "God of Thunder". Some of the lyrics: I was born on Olympus To my father a son I was raised by the demons Trained to reign as the one God of thunder and rock and roll. . . I gather darkness to please me And I command you to kneel Before the God of thunder and rock and roll The spell you're under Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul KISS, God of Thunder There’s also the mythological creature named Chimera (coming from the same root word "chim" as chim-ney). Chimera is a strange creature. It seems Chimera is part lion, part goat and part serpent. That’s a strange combo. . .? I wonder where they got that from? Chimera breathes fire and lives in the underworld called Hell. (Hans Biedermann, Dictionary of Symbolism, p. 67) Is not this the carpenter. . . (Mark 6:3) Mark 6:3 tells us the Lord Jesus Christ was a carpenter. Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. And Santa is no plumber, or electrician, or blacksmith. . . Santa's a – guess what – a carpenter too! Wow! Who would have ever guessed it! What a coincidence. Oh yea, remember the god-Thor. . . Another of his symbols – a carpenters "hammer". His house. . . was toward the north (Ezekiel 8:14) Of course, everyone knows Santa lives at the North Pole. Brrr. . . Why the north pole? Nobody lives at the North Pole. . . Why did they pick the NORTH Pole? Could it possibly be because someone ELSE lives in the north? Ezekiel 8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; . . . Psalm 48:1-2 1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. The Lord dwells in "the north, the city of the great King". By the way, do you remember what Lucifer said in Isaiah 14:13, when he rebelled against God? Do you remember where he was going to exalt his throne? Isaiah 14:12-14 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Where else would Satan ("oops I did it again". . . it’s just too easy to get those two mixed up) Claus be but in the NORTH? . . . who rideth upon the heaven in thy help. . . (Deuteronomy 33:26) As everyone knows, Santa miraculously rides upon the heavens as he delivers his gifts and love. He’s been described for so long, by so many, riding across the sky with his reindeers guiding his merry way – you can almost see Santa as you gaze up in the sky. The famous poem "The Night Before Christmas" describes this amazing, flying, red-clothed, bearded, whited-haired, super-man: As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too Sounds a lot like another episode I’m familiar with – when the Lord Jesus Christ went up to heaven: Acts 1:9-10 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, . . . Following Satan’s ". . . I will be like the most high. . ." script to the letter, Santa mimics the Lord God as found in Deuteronomy 33:26 Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. It’s also interesting in Ephesians 2:2, Satan is depicted as "the prince of the power of the air. . ." Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Ho, ho. . . saith. . . (Zechariah 2:6) Satan Claus. . .? Right? Actually. . . Zechariah 2:6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD. . . "Ho, Ho. . ."? I always thought Santa Claus said that. . .? HO HO HO, cherry nose Cap on head, suit that's red Special night, beard that's white Must be Santa Must be Santa Must be Santa, Santa Clause . . .and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9) Santa’s Little Helpers. . . Santa has some cute little helpers called "elves". It so happens, that Elves (a.k.a fairies, trolls, etc.) also are very popular "helpers" in witchcraft, demonism and the occult. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft has some interesting insights into "Santa's Little Helpers". For instance, elves are Satan's fallen angels: "A host of supernatural beings and spirits who exist between earth and heaven. . . Fairies [Elves] are fall angels. When God cast Lucifer from heaven, the angels who were loyal to Lucifer plunged down toward hell with him." (Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 115) Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft also writes that some elves have an appetite for human blood: "Some fairies [elves] were said to suck human blood like vampires." (Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 116) An interesting "trick" concerning elves is also given in The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft (p. 117). It seems some elves will grant peoples' wish and give them gifts – if that person will only deny their Christian faith! Can you say "Santa Claus"? Elves are found in the writings of Satanist and new age-theosophy guru H.P. Blavatsky. She claims elves are "disembodied spirits", used in "magic and sorcery" and are "the principal agents in . . . seances." (H.P. Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled, Vol I, p. 262) Interesting, elves are also called "trolls". Cathy Burns writes in Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated: ". . . the word troll comes from the Old Norse word for demon and is defined by some sources as a 'devil': a person of great wickedness or maliciousness. . . Of course, Santa has his elves, too." (Cathy Burns, Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, p. 67) Elf: 'A small, often mischievous creature considered to have magical powers.' Although some of these creatures may appear cute on the surface, all of them are nonetheless demonic entities that have their origin in the occult world." (Cathy Burns, Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, p. 77) The Dictionary of Symbolism writes of elves: "Living beneath the surface of the earth, they have ties to the word of the dead; these 'little people' are often thought of as inhabitants of the underworld [hell]." (Hans Biedermann, Dictionary of Symbolism, p. 107) Before you completely discount elves to the world of fantasy, witches, the occult and kooks, consider the research of Dr. Kurt Koch. Dr. Koch is without question the world's foremost authority on demonism and the occult. Dr. Koch, a devout Christian, has spent a life-time traveling world-wide, researching and documenting the real-world of demonism, devils and the occult. Dr. Koch has three complete pages documenting "Goblins and Elves" in his book Occult ABC. Dr. Koch writes of elves: "These elves often appear to children and even play with them. The moment and adult comes on the scene, the elves disappear. . . If a person wants their help, he must apply to their chief, the devil himself [Santa?]. This however, would cost a person his salvation. The idea these spirits are demonic in origin is in accordance with the Bible." (Kurt Koch, Occult ABC, p. 82, 83) Dr. Koch claims these elves' "chief" is the "devil himself" – "Santa's Little Helpers". Notice how Dr, Koch and others keep linking these elves back to children. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft says elves, "love to visit new born babies of mortals and will not hesitate to steal. . ." (Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 116) In Dr. Koch's book (pp. 82-85), he gives four detailed, documented actual accounts involving elves or demons. Dr. Koch, has encountered so many elf-demonic experiences, he says, "One could write a book just about these little people like the tomter [elves], but that is not my task." (Kurt Koch, Occult ABC, p. 83) The great German Reformer Martin Luther also had encounters with elves or goblins. In his Table Talk book, Luther writes on one occasion: "The goblin [elf] jolted me in bed. But I took little notice of him. When I was almost asleep, he began such a rumbling on the stairs that you would have thought someone was throwing three score barrels of wine down them. I stood up, went to the stairs, and called out 'If it is you, so be it,' Then I committed myself to the Lord, of whom it is written, 'Thou hast put all things under His feet,' and went back to bed. That is the best way to get rid of him: to scorn him and call on Christ, That he cannot bear'". (cited in Kurt Koch, Occult ABC, p. 84) The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft writes, "Many contemporary Witches believe in fairies [elves] and some see them clairvoyantly". (Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 117) In fact, the very popular book teaching witchcraft to teenagers titled Teen Witch by witch-author Silver RavenWolf even contains a spell to invoke elves. The spell called "Elf Locker Spell" is a spell to keep people from breaking into a teenagers school locker. The spell conjures up elves to protect their locker. Witch RavenWolf writes, "At school, hang the mirror, asking the locker elves (yes, there are elves in school) to protect the locker" (Silver RavenWolf, Teen Witch, Wicca for a New Generation, p. 215). Then the "teen witch" does some other silly, stupid stuff, and casts their spell (which the book gives in detail). The end of the spell is very, very interesting. Here's what RavenWolf writes, "At home, set the milk and honey outside to nourish the fairies. (p. 215)" Can you say "milk and cookies"? Can you say "Ho, Ho, Ho"? The Elves of Oz. . . One of the most demon-possessed individuals is rock star, Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy’s claim to fame was lead singer of the "Satan-rock" band Black Sabbath. Ozzy is known for such bizarre and demonic behavior as biting the head off a bat and a dove. On September 2, 1989, Ozzy and his demons nearly murdered his own wife. Here’s how his wife, Sharon Osbourne, describes the terrifying moment to Barbara Walters on 20/20: "I was downstairs reading. He came down with just his underpants on. And he's like,"We've come to a decision." And I'm like, "We've"? And he said "You have to die". And then he just dived on me and got me down on the and was just strangling me. But he was gone. There was blinkers on his eyes. He had gone. It wasn't Ozzy." (20/20, Barbara Walters, Nov. 6, 2002) Sharon later openly tells Barbara Walters on 20/20 of Ozzy’s "demon" and "little people" [ELVES] that live in Ozzy’s head. "He's just got this demon inside of him. He just can't get rid of these little people [ELVES] that live in his head." (20/20, Barbara Walters, Nov. 6, 2002) Ozzy’s wife Sharon also tells People Magazine, being married to Ozzy: ". . . is like living with several different people. One day he can be loving and romantic, but the next day he'll turn into this Jekyll and Hyde monster. I never know what I'm going to wake up with." (People Magazine, July, 10, 1989, p. 94) Ozzy told Hit Parader Magazine: "I really wish I knew why I’ve done some of the things I’ve done over the years. Sometimes I think that I’m possessed by some outside spirit. A few years ago, I was convinced of that – I thought I truly was possessed by the devil. I remember sitting through the Exorcist a dozen times, saying to myself, ‘Yeah, I can relate to that.’" (Hit Parader, Nov., 1984, p. 49) Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, Psalm 106:37 . . . for his great love wherewith he loved us (Ephesians 2:4) Oh, how he loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in his site. Santa loves the little children of the world. They stand in line to sit in his loving lap. They get their picture with Santa. They tell Santa their most intimate secrets. They love their Santa – because he first loved them. Is there something slightly familiar with this picture? Mark 10:13-14 13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. Satan’s Ultimate Goal - Achieved Remember where we previously read Satan’s ultimate goal. "I will be like the most high" Isaiah 14:13-14: 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Satan is accomplishing EXACTLY what he wanted. Satan’s ultimate goal is worship. And millions of children are lovingly giving him their God-given child-like faith. They love Santa! Remember in Luke 4, when Jesus Christ was tempted of Santa (uh… I mean Satan) in the wilderness. Remember what Satan offered him. . . And remember what Satan requested in exchange: Luke 4:5-8 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve Satan’s ultimate goal – worship. He’ll "give" you gifts – "whomsoever I will I give it" Little children are worshipping him. And not only that – he is stealing their child-faith at the greatest time of salvation in their whole life! What a plan! What a master-piece of deception! And the average parents are Satan’s greatest evangelists. What an incredible, subtle, diabolical plan. Do you really believe Santa is just a harmless accidental character of history? Santa Claus has replaced God in the lives of many children. . . . Ask, and it shall be given you. . . (Matthew 7:7) Millions of young children will anxiously climb into the loving lap of their Santa Claus. They’ll whisper in his ear their little hearts desire. They’ll quickly wake up Christmas morning with eyes shimmering at their gifts wonderful Santa gave them. Jolly old Saint Nick, Lean your ear this way! Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say; Christmas Eve is coming soon; Now, you dear old man, Whisper what you'll bring to me; Tell me if you can. "Jolly Old St. Nick" Here comes Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus! Right down Santa Claus Lane. . . Bells are ringing, children singing; All is merry and bright. Hang your stockings and say your prayers, 'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight. Millions of children worldwide will be praying and asking their god-Santa for their presents. And here’s the kicker – come Christmas morning – they’ll believe ol’ Satan (not again. . . they’re just too much alike. . . I mean. . . Santa) lovingly gave them all their presents. Who’s telling these kids these lies? Santa (or Satan. . . take your pick) has replaced God as the gracious giver of gifts and the one who answers their prayers. He is Mr. everything to these kids at Christmas time. They just need to believe. The "key" to getting your gifts is "believing" in Santa. Millions of kids will be asked this Christmas, "Do you still believe in Santa?" Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Matthew 7:7-8, 11 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. . . . 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18) Isn’t it amazing the power Santa has? Is there anyone like Santa Claus? He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"? Santa is All Knowing – He’s Omniscient He knows. . . He KNOWS when you’re awake He KNOWS if you've been good or bad." Bobby wants a pair of skates, Suzy wants a sled Nellie wants a picture book, yellow, blue, and red Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest Choose for me, dear Santa Claus; you will know the best. "Jolly Old St. Nick" Santa knows everything. . . Children are taught, religiously, that Santa knows everything. He knows when they’re awake. He knows when they’re sleeping. He knows what they want for Christmas. Is the picture getting clear? Do you see what’s REALLY happening? Santa has the attributes of God Almighty. Remember that "child-like" faith? That faith that belongs to God. That faith is being robbed by Santa. Santa has all the attributes of God. Santa has replaced God in the lives of "Santa-worshipping" children. Just mention the name of Santa to the average child – and watch their little face light up. They love Santa with "all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their strength, and with all their mind". They stand in line to sit in his loving lap. They leave him milk and cookies. It may be a fable to the grown-ups, but those little kids – they believe and love Santa with all their little heart! And why not? Why shouldn’t they believe in Santa? They are taught, heartily, by the people they love and trust more than anyone on earth – that Santa is their god. Santa knows things that are known only by an Omniscient God. Who else has such power? And why wouldn’t they believe it? Why would "mommy and daddy" lie? The following verses would well fit the average child’s gospel of Santa: "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for Santa knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matthew 6:8 Santa knoweth the days of the upright. . . Psalm 37:8 Santa knoweth the thoughts of the wise, . . . 1 Corinthians 3:20 If you doubt the sincerity of the "Santa Claus-as-god-worship" – according to Encyclopedia Americana, during the Middle Ages, over 400 churches in England alone were named after "Santa Claus": "His cult [Santa Clause] and his representation in art achieved their greatest popularity in the Middle Ages, and in England alone more than 400 churches are named after him." (John E. Lynch., "Santa Claus", Encyclopedia Americana, 1988 ed., cited in Saint Who by Dr. Paul E. Heaton) Santa is Everywhere – He’s Omnipresent He’s at the mall. He’s at the parade. He’s on the TV. He’s at the ball-park. He’s EVERYWHERE. David’s testimony to the Omnipresence of God Almighty sounds much like the average child’s omnipresence faith in Santa. Psalm 139:7-8 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Santa "miraculously" visits millions of children, all across the world, in one "quick as a wink" night. "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. . ." (1 Cor. 15:52) – Santa appears – all over the world! The poem "The Night Before Christmas" says of Old St. Nick: ". . . And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof. . ." Where did that come from? – "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. . ." (1 Cor. 15:52) He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake Sound familiar. . . Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Santa is All-Powerful – He’s Omnipotent To the average child - Santa can do anything. What can Santa not do? Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Come rain, sleet, snow, storm, hurricane, the darkest and dreariest of nights – Santa comes. But their Santa NEVER fails! In one night, the all-powerful, Santa delivers millions and millions of gifts to children all around the world. Who could do that? Now, who REALLY believes that? That little child who’s been preached to about Santa. . . That’s who. They believe it. Just ask one. Nothing’s too hard for their Santa. If the Christian world had, even a small drop of the faith the average child has in Santa – we’d have revival overnight! Isn’t it amazing what these little children believe "with all their heart" about their god – Santa? These little kids believe and have more faith in their Santa than all the Christians of the world. If the Christians of the world could just catch a spark of that faith these kids have in Santa – we’d have a world-wide revival. Have you ever seriously considered how unbelievable and powerful Santa is? The scientific journal SPY magazine (January 1990) constructed a scientific analysis of Santa. Here’s some of there conclusions: "Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each house, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house. . . . a total trip of 75-1/2 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding and etc. This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. 353,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules [jewels-measurement of energy] of energy. Per second. In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force." (SPY Magazine, January 1990) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. . ." (1 Cor. 15:52) – Santa appears – all over the world! He just quietly "tip-toes" in – and "tip-toes" out. You hear nothing. See nothing. Like a "thief in the night". (1 Thess. 5:2). And we expect our children to believe in a supernatural being that can do all that? And you know what – THEY DO. . . . . . thy years are throughout all generations. (Psalm 102:24) Where did Santa come from? How did Santa get here? When did Santa "magically" appear? Like, Melchisedec (which most Bible students believe to be a reference to the incarnate Jesus Christ), Santa Claus is like the Son of God, "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God;. . ." Hebrews 7:3 Santa is from everlasting to everlasting. His "years are throughout all generations". Possessing the attribute of an eternal God, Santa ". . . thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." He has no beginning. He has no end. Like God Almighty, Santa is eternal. The famous editorial, "Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus", written by Francis P. Church and published in The New York Sun on September 21, 1897 to 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon, ends with the following words: "No Santa Claus! Thank God, he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood." (Francis P. Church Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus, The New York Sun, September 21, 1897) Psalm 93:1-2 1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. 2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. Habakkuk 1:12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Psalm 102:24-27 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. . . .I will pour out my spirit. . . (Proverbs 1:23) The Christmas "Spirit"? And yes, Santa has his own "spirit". The Christmas "spirit". . . The "Spirit of Christmas" Isn’t that a little strange? Gene Autry’s famous song "Here Comes Santa Claus" begins with the words, "Speakin' of Christmas spirit" Ring a bell? . . . John 14:16-17 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Galatians 4:6 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 1 John 4:1-3 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world Come, ye children. . . I will teach you the fear of. . . (Psalm 34:11) Santa Claus. . . You better watch out, You better not cry You better not pout, I'm telling you why Santa Claus is comin' to town He's making a list, He's checking it twice He's gonna find out Who's naughty or nice Children the world over are taught to FEAR Santa. You’d better go to bed little boy – Santa is watching. Millions of fearful children are told, "You’d better behave. Santa is watching. You might not get anything for Christmas." Would not Psalm 76:7 certainly apply to Santa Claus in the eyes of most children? Psalm 76:7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? The fear of the Lord is the "beginning" of the Christian faith. As is the fear of Santa is the beginning of the faith of Santa. Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:. . . While our children should be taught the fear of the Lord, most are taught the sacrilegious fear of the false god of Santa. Psalm 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. . . . every one of us shall give account of himself to. . . (Romans 14:12) Santa. . . He's making a list, He's checking it twice He's gonna find out Who's naughty or nice So then every one of us shall give account of himself to. . . Santa? Again as God does so does the one that says, "I will be like the most high". (Isaiah 14:14) Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. . . . then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. (Matthew 25:31) Take a trip to the local mall at Christmas time. Go watch Santa sitting on his royal throne. Kids are lined up to sit on his lap of judgement. What does Santa ask them, "Have you been a good little boy?" "Have you been a good little girl?’ Ever read Psalm 11:4? Psalm 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. There’s no question Satan (or Santa. . . ditto) is sitting on his throne. There’s no question it’s a mockery and pretender of the judgement of a Holy God. 1 King 22:19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. Revelation 20:11 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Let’s not forget the Bible says Satan (and Santa) has a throne. Isaiah 14:13 For thou [Lucifer] hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I can’t help but think of Acts 12. Remember when Herod, playing Santa, dressed in his Santa suit (royal apparel), on his throne, and the people saying, It is the voice of a god (a.k.a Santa), and not of a man. Sounds a lot like "you-know-who". And the angel of the Lord kills him for his blasphemy. Acts 12:21 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. . . . were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12) Right on schedule. . . Santa also has a list to judge who's "naughty or nice" He's making a list, He's checking it twice He's gonna find out Who's naughty or nice Over and over, scripture after scripture, Santa grants Satan's ultimate wish, ". . . I will be like the most High. . ." Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. Rev 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. And many believed on him. . . (John 10:42) I wonder how many children this Christmas will be asked, "Do you BELIEVE in Santa?" I know one thing – it’ll be more than all the Christians of the world asking "Do you BELIEVE in Jesus?". Satan’s gospel will be preached more than the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. His witnesses will be witnessing for him – day and night – across the globe. Do you really believe it’s just a coincidence that Satan (I mean. . . Santa. . . I get those two mixed up), over and over, is counterfeiting the Lord Jesus Christ? His attributes. . . His name. . . And now. . . His Faith The heart of the Christian faith is "believing" in the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the core of the Christian faith. It’s not works. It not sacraments. It’s not "doing this" or "doing that". . . Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house Belief – faith – is the essence and vehicle of the Christian faith. It all hinges on believing. It’s BELIEVE IN Jesus . . . And Guess what? With Santa . . . It’s also BELIEVE IN Santa. . . Little Boy, Little Girl, DO YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA? This one bothers me the most. . . What happens when these children put so much false hope into a lie? What happens as that child learns that wonderful Santa is a hoax? And not only is it a false hope, a faith of deception – but it replaces the attributes and characteristics of a counterfeit Christ for the True Christ. To confuse matters even worse the Lord Jesus is dragged into the lie by celebrating his birth. "After you stop believing in Santa Claus, The whole world just goes downhill." (Tom Clancy, The Sum of All Fears) Who that's ever seen the Christmas classic movie The Miracle on the 34th Street can ever forget the faith of young Susan Walker (played by the cute Natalie Wood). Little Susie a skeptic, who doesn't believe in Santa Claus is "converted" by the loveable Kriss Kringle (played by Edmund Gwenn). The main plot of the movie is – faith and belief in Kriss Kringle or Santa. Remember the highlight of the movie when Susan's mother, Doris (played by Maureen O'Hara) tells young Susan, " You must believe in Mr Kingle–and keep right on believing. You must have faith in him". And young Susie begins repeating over and over, "I believe, I believe. . ." Here's how the original author Valentine Davies describes the above scene: "Susan thought it over for a moment and then began muttering with firm conviction: 'I believe, I believe, I believe–' (Valentine Davies, Miracle on 34th Street, p. 116) Towards the end of the movie, Santa gives Susie the "desires of her heart" and little Susie is saying, "You were right mommy, I do believe. I do believe. Mr Kingle is Santa Claus." It is worth noting what Santa gives Susan – a house. . . Hmmm. . . . John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. In the movie, the movie ends as Santa (Kriss Kringle) "prepares a place" for little Susie. Remember, they see Santa's cane standing in the corner showing he had been there and did indeed – "prepare a place" for little Susie. Oh. . . did you notice the shape of Santa's cane he left in the corner on Miracle on 34th Street? It looks like a "shepherd's" hook? Hmmm. . . As one reviewer says of The Miracle on 34th Street: "I guess the reason I, and all the other reviewers, think this film is so great is that it brings back the time when we could 'believe in Santa Claus'". Who has ever seen "Miracle on 34th Street" can ever forget cute, little "Natalie Wood" says "when things don't turn out just right you still have to believe, and oh mommy I do believe, I do". Another reviewer writes, ". . . this is a beautiful movie, that can make anyone believe in Santa Claus." Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of . . . (Titus 2:13) Santa. This Christmas Eve millions and millions of little children will climb into their beds "looking for their blessed hope and the glorious appearing" of Santa Claus. There's not a Christian on the face of this earth looking for and longing for the Lord Jesus Christ as much as the average child looking for their Santa! A child's stolen faith in the coming of Santa puts the Christian's faith to shame. They are so excited – Santa’s coming! Probably the greatest theme and most anticipated event in all the Bible is the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul mentions the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ over 50 times. For every one verse on the First Coming of the Lord Jesus – there are at least eight on the Second Coming. Over and over, the New Testament admonishes the Christian to "look" and "wait" for the coming of the Lord Jesus. The last prayer in the Bible is in Revelation 22:20 – ". . . Even so, come, Lord Jesus." The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Christian's "blessed hope": Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13 If the subtle serpent, who's heart's desire and ultimate goal is to ". . . be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:14) – don't you know the Second Coming will get his attention. And it does. . . The gospel of Santa is a "counterfeit" of the "blessed hope" of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. These precious little children believe it with every fiber in their soul. And why not, the ones they trust the most, mommy and daddy, are preaching the message in their little ears, over and over. Santa is coming! Santa is coming! And everywhere they go – the mall, the store, school – the gospel of the glorious appearing of Santa is proclaimed! Everywhere they look! Santa is coming! Santa is coming! Ever wonder why the stores and the world start the Christmas "season" earlier and earlier every year? It could be the "money-hungry-commercialism" motive (1 Timothy 6:10) – or it might just be – Satan wants to preach his gospel of Santa deeper and deeper in that little child's head and heart – and deceive that little child further and further away from the Lord Jesus Christ! Oh! You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town! Here comes Santa Claus!. . . What a beautiful sight. All is merry and bright. Hang your stockings and say your prayers, 'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight Jump in bed, cover up your head, 'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight So let's give thanks to the Lord above 'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight, Who's got a beard that's long and white Santa's got a beard that's long and white Who comes around on a special night Santa comes around on a special night Who very soon will come our way Santa very soon will come our way Must be Santa Must be Santa Must be Santa, Santa Clause 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. I wonder what the Lord thinks about Santa, Satan's Little Helper? I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another. . . Isaiah 42:8 Ho! Ho! Ho! I Am God. . . In 1994, the satire magazine The Onion carried a parody of Santa Claus titled "Ho! Ho! Ho! I Am God". Even though, it was written as a parody much truth rings from the article. The article says: "I love visiting each and every one of your homes, stuffing your stockings with toys, and enjoying the milk and cookies you leave for me. But mostly I love Christmas because it's the celebration of the birth of my son, Jesus the Christ. You see, I'm God. . . Don't I look familiar? I'm old, I have a white beard, I love everyone. I'm the same God as the one you and your mommy and daddy worship on Sundays. . . Okay, I admit it. I'm not God. But I'm better than God. I'm jollier, and I give you real toys, not boring old psalms and empty promises you can only collect on when you die. Worship me, not Him! Worship Santa! I am God!" (Santa Claus, "Ho! Ho! Ho! I Am God!" The Onion, 29 Nov. - 5 Dec., 1994, p. 7) And that’s EXACTLY the message being preached to these little children! You’d have to be blind to not see the possible connection. And you’d have to be spiritually blind to not see the possible spiritual damage such a massive, faith-based, God-like, LIE could do to the faith and trust of that young child. Landover Baptist, a sacrilegious spoof site on the Internet, carried an article titled "The Devil is in the Chimney". Though their motive is sacrilege, the obvious link from Santa to Satan is not ignored. Here's some of the article: "And it takes no Sherlock Holmes to see that the Devil's annual disguise is none other than Santa! . . . Lucifer may be the wiliest of all the deceitful demons that ever drew breath of fire in Hell, but he was pretty sloppy when he decided to try to spoil our Savior's birthday with this disguise. His big devil ego got the better of him when he decided to name his Christmas Anti-Christ after himself. He just moved around the letters in the name, 'Satan,' into a sonogram and got 'Santa.' . . . Satan has tried to undermine Christmas by making Santa even more popular than Jesus! You don't think so? Even the law of the land forbids a baby Jesus in the town square, but who is there instead? You guessed it! Santa! Every time a so-called Christian child asks Santa for something, he is praying to Satan. With each request fulfilled, parents are unwittingly making a pact with the Devil. They may as well be writing in blood, 'Satan please distract our children from Jesus with all these shiny toys!'. . ." Someone once said, "Many a truth is told in jest". But it is just fantasy. . . I'm sure many are thinking, "C'mon, Santa Claus is just fantasy. Nobody takes it serious". And that's where you're WRONG – those little children take their Santa very serious! Most parents would not teach their beautiful little children such a lie as Santa Claus. Most parents will not openly lie to their children. Especially something that is a blatant imposter of the Lord Jesus Christ. And Satan knows this. . . But they'll easily do it under the disguise of fantasy. It is just fantasy. . . Satanist Anton LaVey, author of The Satanic Bible and founder of the First Church of Satan, says fantasy is a "magic weapon" in Satanism. "Fantasy plays an important role in any religious curriculum, for the subjective mind is less discriminating about the quality of its food than it is about the taste. . . Thus, fantasy is utilized as a magic weapon [in Satanism]. . . The Satanist maintains a storehouse of avowed fantasy gathered from all cultures and from all ages." (Anton Szandor LaVey, The Satanic Rituals, p. 15, 27) Lavey understands Satan's gospel can be quietly preached under the mask of fantasy. People, such as parents, will allow things, such as Santa Claus, under the cloak of fantasy into their little child's tender mind that under "serious" circumstances they would not allow in a million years. But it is just fantasy. . . But in that little child's vulnerable mind – it is truth! No, you and I don't take it serious. Yes, you and I know Santa Claus is fantasy. But those little kids are deceived in believing "with all their little heart" in a god that's an imposter of the Lord Jesus Christ. What happens when these little children realize that Santa Claus is a lie? What happens when they later are confronted to make a decision for the Lord Jesus Christ? What happens later when they're asked to "trust and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ"? I've heard the conversation of two young boys talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. They were beyond the age of Santa Claus. As they were talking, one boy asks the other, "What do you think of all this Jesus Christ stuff"? And the other boy replies, "It all sounds like another Santa Claus to me – probably just another lie". Santa is Satan's counterfeit of the Lord Jesus Christ. Once you get that child believing with "all their heart" in Santa then the next logical step is – Jesus and Santa they’re both the same – and they're both a LIE. Obviously, not every person that believes in Santa Claus as a child will refuse the Lord Jesus Christ. The truth is, the author of this article "believed in" Santa Claus as a child. And the truth is, the author of this article did not trust the Lord Jesus Christ until he was 20 years old. And furthermore, there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever, that the lie and god-like attributes of Santa Claus influenced my early beliefs and confusion about the Lord Jesus Christ. Someone once said "Jesus Christ is nothing but a Santa Claus for adults". That was my belief of Jesus Christ. . . Another Santa Claus. . . Another hoax. And I can tell you this. . . Thank God – I was wrong! On July 30, 1975 as a 20-year-old young man, I met the Lord Jesus Christ. And I can tell you – He is no Santa Claus! Jesus Christ is no fairy tale! I've been saved for over 27 years. I've had 27 years to "prove Him". And I truthfully, from the depths of my heart, say, "'Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus" 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know: "Thus saith the Lord" Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! how I've proved him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more! I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. Have you met the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you ever received the Lord Jesus Christ as YOUR Saviour? Friend, there is no way these connections from Santa to Satan and counterfeits of the Lord Jesus Christ is just an haphazard fairy tale of history. There is an author. There is an creator. And he is Satan. And he wants to damn your soul in hell! And he wants to damn the souls of your children in hell! And he will – if you die without the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! Have you ever been saved? Friend, I want to ask you the most important question you'll ever answer: Have you ever received Jesus Christ as your Savior? Not joining a church, not religion, not baptism, not good works, not sacraments — but trusted Jesus Christ and Him alone, as your Savior. If not, Friend you could be — one year, one month, one hour, one minute, one heartbeat — away from eternity in a lake of fire! Revelation 20:15 says, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Friend, God does not want you to go to hell. 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is. . . not willing that any should perish. . ." Jesus loved you so much He died on a rugged cross, to pay for YOUR sin, and to keep YOU out of hell! Revelation 1:5 says, ". . . Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." Friend, don't EXIT this message, until you MAKE SURE you've received Jesus Christ! I assure you — if you die without Jesus Christ — it'll be the biggest mistake you'll ever make! DON'T TAKE THE CHANCE! Friend, If you've never been saved, don't wait another minute! FRIEND, YOU CAN BE SAVED THIS VERY MINUTE! It is simple to be saved ... Know you're a sinner. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10 "... for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23 That Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, ..." 1 Peter 2:24 "... Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5 And the best way you know how, simply trust Him, and Him alone as your personal Savior. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SAVED? Pray this prayer, and mean it with all your heart. Just pray this simple prayer, and mean it with all your heart. Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and unless you save me I am lost forever. I thank you for dying for me at Calvary. I come to you now, the best way I know how, and ask you to save me. I now receive you as my Savior. In Jesus Christ name, Amen.

http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_santa/santa.html

Santa Claus and Satan's Cause

The modern-day Santa Claus is an American version of Saint Nicholas, a fourth century Roman Catholic bishop from Asia Minor who was noted for his good deeds and gift giving. This tradition first spread throughout Europe, and then found its way to America by the early Dutch settlers. Since God's word warns us to BEWARE of tradition (Col. 2:8), we shouldn't be surprised to find the Devil right in the middle of the world's most celebrated holiday. Lucifer's desire has always been to dethrone God and exalt himself (Isa. 14:12-15). He desires worship (Luke 4:7; II Ths. 2:3-4). Perhaps you've never thought of it, but please note how Satan robs the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory by spreading the Santa Claus tradition... SANTA IS ETERNAL A child knows nothing of his beginning. To a child, Santa has just always existed. JESUS CHRIST IS ETERNAL "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. 1:8) SANTA LIVES IN THE NORTH Tradition holds that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, a place ABOVE the rest of us. JESUS CHRIST LIVES IN THE NORTH "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Psa. 48:2) SANTA WEARS RED CLOTHING Santa wears a red furry suit. JESUS CHRIST WEARS RED CLOTHING "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." (Rev. 19:13) SANTA HAS WHITE HAIR Santa is always pictured as an old man with white hair like wool. JESUS CHRIST HAS WHITE HAIR "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;" (Rev. 1:14) SANTA FLIES AROUND GIVING GIFTS Santa has the ability to defy the laws of gravity and fly around giving gifts to people. JESUS CHRIST ASCENDED AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." (Eph. 4:7-8) SANTA IS COMING SOON During the Christmas season it is emphasized over and over that "Santa is coming". JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:20) SANTA IS OMNISCIENT Children are taught that Santa "knows when you've been good, and he knows when you've been bad". JESUS CHRIST IS OMNISCIENT "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." (Pro. 15:3) "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" (Mat. 9:4) SANTA IS OMNIPRESENT Santa must be omnipresent, because he has the ability to visit over a billion homes in a twenty-four hour period. That's over 1100 per second! JESUS CHRIST IS OMNIPRESENT "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mat. 18:20) SANTA IS OMNIPOTENT He has the ability to carry presents for over a billion children. JESUS CHRIST IS OMNIPOTENT "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Mat. 28:18) SANTA HAS SPIRIT HELPERS CALLED ELVES Webster, 1828: "ELF...a spirit, the night-mar; a ghost, hag, witch" JESUS CHRIST HAS SPIRIT HELPERS CALLED ANGELS "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (Mat. 4:11) SANTA - SANAT - SATAN? Sanat Kumara is worshipped by some new age groups as God. H.P. Blavatsky, the mother of the new age movement, said on page 350 of her book, The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 2: "The name isn't important. It is the letters". "Santa" has the same letters as "Satan"! According to G.A. Riplinger, "Ole Nick" is listed as the name of a fallen angel in the Dictionary of Fallen Angels. (New Age Bible Versions, Gail Riplinger, pg. 53) Friend, don't glorify Satan by giving the glory and attributes of Jesus Christ to Santa Claus! Santa is a COUNTERFEIT GOD, and you are honoring Satan when you teach your children to believe in Santa! Christians should teach their children the TRUTH. We should glorify God by teaching our children about Jesus Christ and His saving grace!

THE PHYSICS OF SANTA CLAUS

A piece about how easily ol' St. Nick gets around on Christmas Eve, reprinted here for all to enjoy. Letting young children see this page may be a bit bewildering. Proceed with caution.

IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS?

1) Flying Reindeer: No known species of reindeer can fly. BUT there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not COMPLETELY rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen.

2) Children: There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each.

3) Timing: Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, weknow to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about .78 miles per household, a total trip of 75-1/2 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding and etc. This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour.

4) Weight: The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight. On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that "flying reindeer" (see point #1) could pull TEN TIMES the normal anount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine. We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth.

5) Speed: 353,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as spacecrafts re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy. Per second. Each. In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force.

Conclusion: If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's dead now.

Foundations: This inquiry is based on the premise that there is only one Santa Claus. The calculations work out more realistically if you assume some form of parallel processing. A thousand Santas (1 kilosanta) or a million (a megasanta) or more, working in parallel, could perform the same number of visits in the same allotted time with less advanced technology (and fewer vaporized reindeer).

One Other Point: Who does the air traffic control for a megasanta? A million sleighs and 12 million reindeer occupy a significant amount of airspace. If we assume that each reindeer team, sleigh and Santa needs no more than 5 feet of vertical airspace (which, given that known species of reindeer with antlers are quite nearly five feet tall, leaves very little room for error), then a megasanta requires almost 947 miles of vertical airspace. This also disregards the fact that each Santa must make frequent landings. The airspace at chimney level will be in high demand and disproportionately crowded, particularly as Christmas-celebrating households tend to be densely clustered in the same geographic areas. It seems likely that a megasanta, while perhaps avoiding vaporized reindeer, would suffer huge casualties from in-air collisions.

In final conclusion --

Poor Santa has a lot on his hands.