CHRISTMAS OFFERING
Dear Santa, are you real? If you live at the
North Pole, how come l can't see your house
when I look on Google Earth? How do you have
time to read all the letters from all the children in
the world? And how many cookies and mince
pies have you eaten in all of history? How do
you get all the presents in the sack? Does your
sack have to get bigger every year because of
exponential population growth? And how do you
get down the chimneys? I put my head in ours
and it's really small. Even if you could squeeze
down it in one minute there's nine houses in my
road so that's nearly 10 minutes. And there are
millions of roads in the world. Santa, how can
you get around the whole world in just one
night? My friend said that you'd have to go so
fast it would make you and the sleigh and the
reindeer all burn up. I think you are real. But
how do you do it? For Christmas l would love a
pink Twinkle Bike with stabilizers. But please
don't bring it if it makes you and the reindeer
burn. Love, Gwen Hines
As we will see, Arthur (the younger son of Santa) is
I am not a big fan of Santa Claus; however, there is responsible to answer the letters written to his father.
one Santa Claus Christmas movie, which I would He writes Gwen the following:
highly recommend, namely, Arthur Christmas
Dear Gwen, thank you for your letter. Your
(2011). It forms the basis for this Christmas
request for a pink Twinkle Bike will be passed on
devotional. As Jesus left heaven to enter the womb
to Santa. And, yes, do believe in Santa. He is
of the Virgin Mary, the author of the Epistle to the
real. He's the greatest man ever. And he can get
Hebrews tells us that He said:
around the world to every child without a single
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a reindeer being hurt. By the time the sun comes
body You have prepared for Me. In burnt up on Christmas Day, he'll get to you too using
offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no his special magic.
pleasure. Behold, I have come in the volume
of the book it is written of Me to do Your will, Hes the greatest man ever. Really what about
O God. (Hebrews 10:5-7) Jesus? Santas ability to know if children are being
What does this movie have to do with this verse? In bad or good, his ability to make toys for hundreds of
answering that question, let me introduce you to five millions of children, and his ability to deliver those
people: Gwen Hines and the four men of the Claus toys all over the world in one night border on
household. omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence. But
thats not the pith of this devotional.
Gwen Hines Santa delivers 2 billion presents to 600 million
children this particular year, the only problem he was
Believer in supposed to deliver 2,000,000,001 presents to
600,000,001 children. The one child who did not get
Santa a present you guessed it, Gwen Hines the one
promised that Santa would get to her.
The manner in which the four men in the Claus
Gwen Hines is a little girl, who lives in Trelew, household handle the situation is quite telling. These
England. She writes the following letter to Santa: men are: Malcolm Claus, Steve Claus, Grandsanta,
and Arthur Claus.
Steve Claus
Malcolm Claus
Mission
Santa from Control
1942-Present
Steve is oldest son of Malcolm and Margaret Claus
th and the heir apparent to become the 21st Santa Claus.
Malcolm is the 20 and current Santa Claus. This
Steve developed the S-1, a spaceship that travels at
mission in 2011 was his 70th, after which he planned
Mach 1860 (1.4 million miles per hour), carries a
to retire. While the family is having a post-mission
host of elves (237,000 by my calculations) and runs
dinner, Steve unkindly, but truthfully, describes his
on biodiesel made from milk and cookies left for
father as, the nonexecutive figurehead.
Santa. He is stationed at Mission Control at the
Grandsanta replies, It means a fatty with a beard
North Pole overseeing the entire operation. When he
who fits the suit. When Steve says that it is
learns that one child has been missed, we hear:
impossible to make the delivery to Gwen in time,
Malcolm simply says, Your brother knows about Steve: There's nothing to do. The mission was a
these things. I won't sleep easy after this, Arthur, but success.
there it is. It can't be done. Before he goes to sleep, Arthur: We can't leave a child out of Christmas.
he has the following conversation with his wife,
Steve: Sunrise at destination is 7:39 a.m. There's
Margaret:
no way to get there in time, except, of course, for
Malcolm: This figurehead thingy, I'm not just a the S-1.
fatty with a suit, am I? Malcolm: The S-1, right-o.
Margaret: Of course not, dear. Steve: No! The S-1has just traveled 7 million
Malcolm: No. I'm Santa. Children rely on me. miles. We could damage it. And risk the lives of
Margaret: Until you retire. the elves. No one is going. It's impossible.
Malcolm: Retire? Sit next to Father, watching Malcolm: But this child!
Steve on TV? Who would l be? Peter (Steves Elf Assistant): Its a margin of
Margaret: You'd be my Malcolm, dear. error of 0.0000001514834%.
Malcolm: I'm still very much up to the job, you Steve: I mean hello? Where's the champagne?
know. Good night, dear. My department has delivered the most
outstanding Christmas ever.
Despite what he said to Arthur, he falls asleep very
easily. The truth is that he really is not up to the job Malcolm: Well done, us.
anymore and maybe hasnt been for years. However, Arthur: But there's a child without a present!
the thought of giving up the title Santa Claus is Steve: Arthur, we will get 47785BXK a present
troubling and so he announced that he planned on within the window of Christmas. We'll
making a 71st mission. His concern was not the messenger the item. It'll be there in five days.
children of the world, but his own need to feel
Arthur: But that'll ruin the magic.
important. Later on when Arthur expresses his belief
that his dad is worried about Gwen, Steve replies, Steve: If there was any way at all to make the
Arthur, this is Dad we're talking about. There was drop tonight but it can't be done.
a time when he cared about every last gift tag, but To Steve, Gwen is simply an insignificant margin of
now he just wants to be loved and get some rest. He error and a serial number. Later, when Steve has the
then calls his fathers cell phone and they hear, Off opportunity to help Arthur and Grandsanta when they
to the land of nod. Please do not disturb until are attempting the delivery using the sleigh and an elf
December 26th. The mission for Malcolm is no says, Grandsanta and Arthur would be the heroes of
longer his love for the children, but his need to be the night, sir! For Steve, who saw himself as the
loved by the children. real Santa, this was unacceptable (i.e., Grandsanta
and Arthur overshadowing his glory) and he All three older Clauses are focused on themselves,
commands them to return home. not the children whom they serve.
When Malcolm decides to take out the S-1 to make
the delivery but is not up to operating the spaceship, Arthur Claus
Steve says:
Of course she's all that matters. Not me, your
Letter
son. Not the 2 billion things l did right tonight. Department
No! So since gift delivery to child 47785BXK is
all that seems to matter I'll do it myself. Then
we'll pick up Arthur and Grandsanta from
whatever ditch they ended up in. As we noted previously, Arthur is the younger son of
The mission for Steve is not the love of children Malcolm and Margaret Claus and is in charge of
either (i.e., he actually lets slip out one time, Who reading and replying to letters written to Santa. In a
cares about one single tiny child?), but rather sense, Arthur is a mediator he is the one interacting
recognition and appreciation for his work. with both Santa and the people of the world that
believe in him. In the Bible, Job gives us insight into
Grandsanta what a mediator is:
For God is not a man, as I am, that I may answer
Santa from Him, and that we should go to court together.
Nor is there any mediator between us, who may
1902-1941 lay his hand on us both. (9:32, 33)
Job indicates that a mediator is someone who had the
ability set their hands on two parties who are at odds.
According to Paul, the two parties are God and
Grandsanta was the 19th Santa Claus. He has been
mankind and the Mediator, who is able to set His
officially retired since the 1941 mission when he took
hand on both parties, is the God-Man, Jesus the
12 direct hits during WW2. However, he did take his
Messiah:
sleigh, which he calls Evie, out in October 1962
during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis and God our Savior desires ALL men to be saved and
almost started WW3. When Grandsanta learns of to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there
Gwens fate, he recommends that he and Arthur is one God and one Mediator between God and
deliver the present using Evie. Arthur thinks his men, the Man Messiah Jesus, who gave Himself a
grandfather cares about Gwen. However, during ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time. (I
their mission, the camera on the sleigh is destroyed Timothy 2:3b-6)
and we hear:
Remember this verse we will be coming back to it.
Grandsanta: My camera, totally banjaxed, how We began this devotional quoting the Messiah as He
do l get my picture now? left heaven to enter into the womb of the Virgin
Mary. The Messiah was Himself quoting David from
Arthur: What picture?
Psalm 40:
Grandsanta: The sleigh on the roof, the eight
Sacrifice (zebach) and offering (minchah) You
beautiful reindeer and Santa me going
did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt
down the chimbley. That's what l wanted them to
offering (olah) and sin offering (chataah) You
see. They missed the kid, but l got there, my way.
did not require. I delight to do Your will, O
Arthur: That's why you came. Not for Gwen. my God. (vv. 6, 8)
The mission for Grandsanta is not the love of The four Hebrew words (plus a fifth, asham) are the
children either, but showing up Malcolm and Steve, words used to describe the five different offerings
regaining some of his former glory and feeling detailed in Leviticus 15. I would like to look at
important again. them in continuing to compare Arthur to Jesus:
Burnt Offering (Olah) Grain Offering (Minchah)
The burnt offering points to Jesus devotion to the The grain offering points to Jesus devotion to the
will of His Father. In Psalm 40, the Messiah needs of mankind. On Christmas Eve, Arthur comes
indicates that He delights to do the will of God. into Mission Control with an armful of letters. He is
Malcolm, Steve and Grandsanta are more concerned concerned about a girl who lives in Greece. He tells
with being recognized as Santa, than upholding the his brother he found it and when Steve says,
honor of the office of Santa. While stranded on Cuba What? Arthur replies:
w/o sleigh, realizing that 19th, 20th and apparent 21st
The letter. The one l said. From Maria Costa.
Santas really didnt care about Gwen, Arthur says,
She asked for a Pocket-Puppy, but she wants the
How can l ever write another letter saying that
blue one. It looks like her Auntie's dog, Biffo that
Santa cares? However, shortly after this, he looks
ran away. I remember because she sent a picture
closely at the picture that came with Gwens letter
of Biffo. See?
and says to Grandsanta, This picture. This drawing!
It isn't of Dad ... or you ... or Steve. This is Santa! When he is informed that Greece was five countries
And as long we get the bike to Gwen before she ago and nothing can be done about it now one way or
wakes up, then Santa came! And he cares! Arthur is the other, Arthur says, I just want it to be perfect for
devoted to upholding Santas will to provide presents every kid. Unlike the other three Clauses who were
to ALL children. looking out for themselves, Arthur was devoted to the
children.
In I Timothy 2, we saw that Gods will is that ALL
men be saved and come to the knowledge of the Peace Offering (Zebach)
truth. The prophet Isaiah wrote regarding the
Messiah: The peace offering points to Jesus celebration of His
relationship with His Father and desire for others to
When You make His soul guilt offering (asham), share in it. In his letter department office, Arthur had
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, large picture of himself as a young boy on his
and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in His fathers knee. In his letters, he stresses with the
hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be children that his dad is the greatest and most caring
satisfied. (Isaiah 53:10b, 11a) man in the world he celebrated his relationship with
The Fathers will or pleasure prospered in Jesus Santa and wanted others to share in it also.
hand. Most of Christianity views an end with maybe In the end, all four Clauses arrive at the Gwens
10% salvation rate; yet God declares His will is house at approximately the same time three are
100% and that Jesus will be satisfied with the labor determined to get the credit for delivering the present
of His soul. When all the dust clears, Paul writes: and one reminds them that it is only important that
For as in Adam ALL die, even so in Messiah ALL she gets a present from Santa. Malcolm finally
shall be made alive. But each one in his own realizes that it should be Arthur to put the bike by the
order: Messiah the firstfruits, afterward those tree. While he is doing that, the other three try to
who are Messiahs at His coming. Then comes quickly get out of the house, but Arthur encourages
the end, when He (Jesus) delivers the kingdom to them to all slow down and watch Gwen unwrap her
God the Father, when He puts an end to ALL rule bike, something none of them had ever done. It was
and ALL authority and power. For He must the joy that Malcolm, Steve and Grandsanta saw in
reign till He has put ALL enemies under His feet. Arthurs face as he shared Gwens joy that made it
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. clear that Arthur should be the 21st Santa Claus.
But when He says "ALL things are put under
Sin Offering (Chataah)
Him," it is evident that He who put ALL things
under Him is excepted. Now when ALL things The sin offering points to Jesus willingness to die on
are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself the cross to lift and carry our unintentional sin, our
will also be subject to Him who put ALL things crookedness and our rebellion. Arthur never dies,
under Him, that God may be ALL in ALL. (1 although he puts his life on the line several times as a
Corinthians 15:24-28) result of Steves unwillingness to help, Malcolms
Read those words slowly and let them sink in. God incompetence, and Grandsantas mistakes. First, he
will be ALL in ALL. has to overcome his fear to fly in the sleigh. Second,
he had to put himself between lions in the Serengeti
and Grandsanta, trying to put the pride to sleep by
Elf Calculation:
waving his musical Christmas slippers and singing Parameter Value Source
Silent Night. Third, while in the Atlantic Ocean in # Children 600,000,000 Movie
a small rowboat off the coast of Cuba, Arthur risks
getting beheaded or torn in half by floating up into # of Children 3 Assumption
the air with an anchor in an attempt to recapture the per Household
sleigh that is circling the earth at 45,000 mph. He
# Households 200,000,000 Calculation (600,000,000/3)
thought more about Santas honor and Gwens need
than he did about his own life. # Elves Per 3 One per child
Household
Guilt Offering (Asham)
Average Time 18.14 sec Movie
The guilt offering points to Jesus willingness to Per Household
restore that which He did not cause to be deficient.
Upon arrival back at the North Pole, Malcolm Elf-Seconds 54.42 Calculation (3*18.14)
declared: Per Household
Mission accomplished! Tonight we delivered 2 Total Mission 17.75 hrs or Assume mission begins at 10
billion presents. On this my 70th mission! Time 63,900 s PM on 12/24 at the
International Date Line (10
The mission was NOT accomplished it was AM Trelew). About 2 hrs
deficient by one present. Although others considered after mission, Arthur says
it insignificant, Arthur was willing to do what it took Gwen will wake up in 2 hrs
to get Gwen her bike before she came downstairs and (7:45 AM 12/25 Trelew). So
was disappointed. mission completed at 3:45
AM Trelew. Total mission
Christmas Offering time is 17.75 hrs (10 AM
12/24 thru 3:45 AM 12/25).
We were all alienated from God. Through Jesus
devotion to the will of His Father (i.e., the burnt Total Travel 7,000,000 Movie
offering), through His devotion to the needs of Distance mi
mankind (i.e., the grain offering), through His Travel Velocity 1,400,000 Movie
celebration of His relationship with His Father and mph
desire for others to share in it (i.e., the peace
offering), through His willingness to die on the cross Travel Time 5 hrs or Calculation (7,000,000 /
to lift and carry our unintentional sin, our 18,000 s 1,400,000)
crookedness and our rebellion (i.e., the sin offering), Delivery Time 45,900 s Calculation (63,900 18,000)
and through His willingness to restore that which He
did not cause to be deficient (i.e., the guilt offering), #Elves 237,000 Calculation (200,000,000 *
we can enjoy a restored relationship with Yahweh. 54.42 / 45,900)
If you decide to watch Arthur Christmas this year, I
hope it will help you to appreciate all that Jesus did
for you by coming to earth.
God Bless You & Your Family
Merry Christmas
In Jesus Love, Donald
