I Believe in Santa Claus

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

I Believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus, do you?

Yes, I may be a 42 year old man and a God fearing Christian, but I still believe in Santa Claus; and I think everyone should. When Saint Nicholas made a choice to help out those in need by giving them food to eat or a piece of coal for heating their houses, he wasn't thinking about changing the world, just helping out a small piece of it where he lived. I believe that his sense of love and compassion for others in need came from a special spirit that made Saint Nicholas find hope in all of human kind, but it had to flow from within him first.

Christmas seems to have a unique ability to bring wonder, amazement, hope and love; while at the same time causing frustration, arguments, conflict and even hopelessness. However, I don't believe it comes from the meaning of Christmas itself or the story of Jesus' birth; but as a result of our own personal outlook and expectations of life itself. For example, whether we are wealthy or not, if we are more concerned with the type of food we eat rather than being thankful for the food we eat, we will always be ungrateful for whatever food is put before us. I'm not saying we have to be super excited about the food, just thankful.

Even at my poorest moment in life where I had no idea how to feed my family as I had decided to pay for the cancer treatments and medications for my 2 year old son instead, I still had to make the choice to be thankful for the little bit we did have and teach my sons to believe the same. Christmas was difficult for many years while dealing with the cancer, my own heart attack, much sickness and no money, but we still always found something to be thankful for and made an effort to help someone else every Christmas to remind ourselves what the true meaning really is. The result has created two very compassionate, loving children that believe anything is possible if you just believe and don't give up.

Through it all I taught my sons that the spirit of Santa Claus really does exist and it is up to each of us whether we choose to believe in it or not. If you have read any of my other blogs or my book "The Gift", you will understand how much I believe in the spiritual world around us. For me, Christmas is no different, there are many spirits that influence people for good and bad, and it is up to us to choose which to listen to. I believe Saint Nicholas was also influenced by a spirit, one that brought hope and love for those in need. His actions then inspired countless others to help those in need as the stories of him grew and spread throughout the world. And, if you take the time to research our human history even before the time of Jesus birth, you will discover many people like Saint Nicholas throughout every culture and time period. This goes to show that there is a greater spirit at work within the human race, trying hard to remind us of all the joy, hope, love and good we are capable of, if first we will just believe.

So the way I see it, there is a spirit itself influencing people such as Saint Nicholas and the many others like him, to create a desire within them to help others and spread the message of hope and love. As well, God then presented this message in the simple form of joy through the birth of Jesus. And, even though Christmas day is not celebrated on the actual day of Jesus birth, God has allowed us the opportunity to celebrate His son's birth, not because it has any real importance to God Himself, but because it allows this spirit of hope and love a chance to create some good in this world. Even if it has to come through a heavy set, white haired, jolly old Santa Claus, who doesn't care about his own image or self, just others in need; God has allowed it to show us how we should be. However, it is ultimately our own choice to believe in this spirit of hope and love or not.

For some Christmas can be a time of happiness and joy. For others it is a time of sadness and regret. However, whether we choose to believe in Jesus or Santa Claus, the spirit of Christmas is about the Hope for something greater than what we understand at this moment; and the knowledge of a Love that surpasses all understanding, regardless of who I believe I am or how good or bad I think I am; the truth is I am Loved by God. But I must choose to believe it if I want this spirit of Christmas to be with me.

So whether or not those around me are wrapped up in their own Christmas desires, church gatherings, traditions, beliefs, or even Santa bashing; or perhaps they are living the true meaning of giving and loving others, I need to be aware of my own choices and if I am living the true meaning myself. As I choose this, the spirit of Christmas lives through me and I will find the hope, joy and love that Christmas is really about. I can then clearly see that the spirit of God is what has been influencing humankind to find hope and love from our beginnings, through His Gift of Jesus; through the actions of Saint Nicholas; through the image of Santa Claus; and even through me if I'll let Him.

This is why I believe in Santa Claus, because I know the spirit that he believes in too.