Friday, December 5, 2008

Believe




WARNING: Send the kids to the other room, let them play with play doh, let them color on the wall, anything, just don't let them read this post!!!! Oh and if you are a santa hater stop reading as well. or do keep reading to see a different point of view.


I love Santa, I believe in Santa. I know there are some who don't and I am really sad for them. It seems that there are many that think believing in Santa takes away from Christ during Christmas. I see their point of view, but I disagree. At Christmas time what I do see is the magic . The Love for strangers. The random acts of service. People dropping pennies, dollars, even diamond rings (oh yes it does happen) into little red buckets, and people sacrificing warmth to ring a bell while standing next to little red buckets in the bitter cold. I see people buying extra toys, bikes, coats, turkeys, etc. to donate to families less fortunate than themselves. I could go on and on, but I'm guessing you get the point. All of these acts are the pure love of Christ, they go on every Christmas season, often while waring a Santa hat.
This week a question was asked, a tear was shed (by me) a truth was told.
Here is how it played out:
So we are finishing up family home evening and my daughter asks THE question, (the son asked last year)I look at my husband who is sitting behind her and gives me the look like, have fun with this, glad it's you and not me. I stammer, I stall, I then look to my son for help and he says "Mom come on just tell the poor girl" I look back at her and she's standing with her hands on her hips and asks again. I reply do you want to believe, she says "I WANT to know if the big guy in the red suit living in the north pole is really there. I shake my head look at the floor (this is where the tear comes) and say no.
I look up and she's smiling -- not what I expected. I ask how she feels about that, she says "fine". I then tell her the history (according to me, what I mean by that is I really don't know but this is what I think) of Santa. Here goes
A long time ago there was a man by the name of Nicolas he was a saint he did really good things one of which was give gifts to people but didn't want anyone to give him any of the glory. Just like Jesus gave us a gift, the most precious gift we could have and He doesn't want any of the glory. Because St. Nicolas was such a good example of Jesus we carry on his tradition during Christmas time to help us remember the wonderful gifts Jesus has given to us.
So you see I do believe in Santa, I believe in the spirit of him, I believe we all should be a lot more like him, because if we would we would be a lot more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. So Santa and Christ-mas go hand in hand I will always believe!!!

6 comments:

Mandy said...

It's never easy seeing our kids grow up. I am certain this will be the last year for Sam as he asked Gary and I "how do I know its not just you sneaking down here and putting presents under the tree? Is it?" I didn't know how to answer that...Gary shrugged his shoulders and I said, "Just remember Sam, Santa is the spirit of giving..." (I have mixed feelings with the whole thing, lying vs. tradition...) And left it at that and he was happy.

Anonymous said...

Great post! I believe too! We did Santa all through our years growing up and we never said anything about it. We all new he wasn't "real" but none of us would say anything cause we wanted him to be real and just as you said...It's the spirit of him that is always going to be there. Jacob didn't ask about him until last year and he was in 7th grade. I'm sure he knew before, but last year was the first that he really said anything. I think Madison and Erika will believe forever if I can get them to not watch all the things on TV that say differently. I hate that don't you!

Nana-Judy said...

Great post! My Mom always said "He is the Spirit of Christmas!" I think she still believed. Right up until she died at almost 97.
She was one of the most "Christian" women I know. She knew the Lord. She talked about Him with others. And she lived as a great example of His GRACE in the world. She also loved to play "make-believe" and uphold the traditions of childhood: Santa, tooth fairy, etc. I'm so glad she did!
Judy A.--Karen's Mom

Unknown said...

I Believe!!!!

Rachel Berry said...

I too Believe!!! My 10 yr old has been hinting around that he know's something's up.. I'm hoping that I can stall him until after christmas is over.

Great post by the way!

tacy said...

I thought Santa was a tangible human being until I was like 14. My parents never would tell me he wasn't real even though I sat my mom down a million times and was like "...seriously though mom, is he real?" and she'd say "...do you think he is real?" and she would never say yes or no! Of course I had to sit my mom down because my dad still thinks the presents under the tree without a to: from: tag on them are from the north pole