Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum Well today we have a special guest for Abizandam. Her name is Sarah French Carpenter and she's a member of Calvary.
I've got to know her well over the years.
So welcome to Abizandam, Sarah. Thank you. Thank you for having me on. It's an honor. It's an honor for us.
Tell us a little bit about your background and why you're here today.
So I worked in news for 20 years. Most recently I was the morning anchor for the local NBC station here in Charlotte. Left that in December, so it's been a full year. I have since started Sarah French Media Group and I own Nest Photos Studio, which is a local photography studio here. But I wrote a children's Christmas book a couple years ago and so we're going to talk about that today.
Yeah, and you put in some free advertising there about what you're doing there. I heard you. Yeah, because I remember, Sarah, it must have been a couple of years ago, you contacted me and said that you were writing this book. And I was intrigued by it because as a pastor, I'm sometimes asked about how do we relate some of the fun activities of Christmas and in particular Santa Claus. And at the same time, we want the serious message that Jesus comes.
as a saviour. When I was growing up in Scotland, um My parents were very strong believers. Told us about Santa Claus, and on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus came, and I don't know what age I realized. You know, there's a difference here.
So What brought you to the point that you thought you would write this book, Sarah?
So I grew up in a strong Christian household as well. I always knew Jesus was the reason for the season, and my, we celebrated Santa as well. But I've always been very vocal on social media about my faith. And I had posted about Santa Claus and someone had asked me, how do you do Santa? as a Christian.
And I had actually written a version of this book. Before I published it, I made it on a scrapbooking website just for my kids. And I wanted them to know. That Jesus was the reason for this season, but I wanted to tie in one beautiful story, which is the name of the book: why we have so many Christmas traditions like we do today, and that Santa Claus. Was a real person, he was a follower of Jesus, and his whole message was: putting other people before yourself, giving Rather than receiving.
And that's the message I wanted my kids to take away.
So I wrote this book and I Told this person on social media and showed this version of the book before it was published: here's what we do, here's what I tell my kids. And then people started asking moms particularly, well, can we get a copy of that? Which started the whole evolution of the book.
Well, I mean, that's amazing. Because growing up, I looked on I suppose on Santa Claus. I never thought it was a real person.
So, in your book, you emphasize that there was a person, not necessarily called Santa Claus. But part of the tradition of Christmas involves Uh this character, so you weave that. Into the book. You're referred to the book. What's the book called?
A Beautiful Story: Jesus and St. Nick. By Sarah French. Sarah French. My maiden name.
Okay. Which is what I went by on TV for 20 years.
So people get. Confused sometimes, but my married name is Carpenter. But you're married to an incredible man. Yes, I am. Very supportive.
And you have two children. Yes, 10 and 7. And so the version of the book that was published, they're in it. It kind of brings you into my home as I'm telling this story to my kids of Jesus. And then 300 years later, Nicholas was born, who became Saint Nicholas.
And they get kind of embarrassed, though, if I do a reading because they're in it, especially my son. I can imagine.
So what was their reaction to it?
Well, this was the book I read to them.
So I think when the book was published and they're so young, I don't think it registered with them that this is A published book, another version of what I'd been reading to them years prior. But my son, in particular, if I did a reading while he was there, there's a little story about him taking the cookies and eating it. Oh, he got embarrassed, he didn't like it. I can imagine.
Yeah. There are some Christians, very sincere, would say, No, we're not going to have Santa Claus. This is a kind of a fantasy.
So you are saying, in fact, there is this character. that evolved into Santa Claus.
So, because some Christians would say, Well, it's wrong, you're teaching your children fantasy. Right, and that's what I wanted people to know. And I think people don't realize that if you, and I love history, and Saint Nicholas was a real person, and there's reasons behind traditions. He tossed coins into stockings, it was really a dowry to help this family. And that's why we hang our stockings and you put, you know, presents in the stockings.
And so, I wanted people to know that this was a real person. He was a follower of Christ, he was a strong Christian man. He lost his family at a young age and inherited all this money and ended up giving it to the poor and helping other people. And I tried to write the book so carefully, which I'm so thankful you helped me, you know, look over the book before it was published. I wanted to make sure everything was biblically sound.
But however you celebrate Christmas, I think it works either way. It doesn't ruin any surprises, but the family is also getting ready on Christmas. Christmas Eve, but I think it would help explain Why we have certain traditions, how it evolved into what it is today. In the book, how do you? Weave in the story of Jesus as the Savior.
So it starts that Jesus is the reason for the season, and it starts with the Christmas story that we all know. And it makes a point that this is the reason for the season. I even get into the prophecy in Isaiah, which I love, that was written. Six, seven hundred years before Jesus. And then 300 years later, so you have that timeline, Nicholas was born, who became Saint Nicholas.
And so that's how I weave it all together. And I was really, it started out as me looking for this for my kids because I wanted to. I wanted them to know Jesus was the reason and the main purpose for this Christmas story that we have. But I wanted them to understand why we have these other traditions. And I couldn't find that book.
And so that's why I ended up writing it. I think it's very well done. Thank you. I recommend it. What about people out there?
Is this a book that you could give to people who. Do not know Jesus Christ or don't have a personal relationship with him. Yes, and that is exactly why I put those Bible verses from Isaiah in there because I even remember reading those for the first time going, Oh my goodness, this was a prophecy 700 years before Jesus was born.
So I wanted to put that in there and I think it's a wonderful book for people who don't believe. I think it will spark their curiosity even more to do their own research. Yeah, I think it would because people are intrigued by it and even unbelievers celebrate Christmas. I mean here at Calvary on Christmas Eve it's our biggest outreach. We've got you know like 12,000 people coming and many of them don't necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
So I think this book can reach them. How would people get it? Here's your chance to do a little advertising. It is in the bookstore here at Calvary.
So come visit us here at Calvary. You can also get it online on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Website. And the book again is. A Beautiful Story: Jesus and Saint Nick.
By Sarah. French. The carpenter's not in there.
Well, there is a carpenter in the story. That is true. Jesus Joseph, but I prefer to go by French. Was you got any reaction for people in a negative way? Any negative feedback?
Well, I haven't read every single review online. I think working in news, you hear every opinion.
So I'm pretty good at blocking out the negative ones. But for the most part, I think people have embraced it. A lot of people said it was exactly what they were looking for for their children. And I think a lot of times when we write books, it's like it's a need that we were trying to fill. And that's what I was doing, trying to find this for my own children.
No, I think it does reach people. I think for followers of Christ, it's got a message. Unbelievers, it's something you could give to a neighbour, to a sibling, or something. And it helps them to understand the background of Santa Claus. But obviously, more importantly, it tells us about the Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our Lord. Sarah, what do you particularly love about Christmas? It is my love. Yes. I love being at Calvary at Christmas.
And I'm not just saying that because you're here, but the Candlelight Christmas Eve service is. Amazing. I love having that as a family tradition. But just the entire month here, the Christmas tea, which I'll be speaking at this year, and the Luke 14 banquets, the organ concert, Christmas time here at Calvary is incredible. And I invite anyone to come.
There's so many opportunities to be here. And through it all, we present Jesus Christ. That's right. That is what we do.
So thanks, Sarah, for coming. Thank you for having me. This is a wonderful book, which again is called A Beautiful Story, Jesus and Saint Mary. And it is by Sarah French, who's joined us today.
So thanks, Sarah. Thank you. Abyssando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com slash the verdict.
