***
By a show of hands, how many parents took their children to see Santa this year?
And how many of us remember what it was like seeing Santa ourselves as a child?
***
It never ceases to amaze me just how spellbound children are when they first see Santa.
It’s as if they’re in the presence of the divine.
***
Eventually, some of them begin questioning:
“How can Santa be in more than one place at a time? How does he know my name? How does he know if I’ve been good or bad? Why is his beard longer than when I last saw him?”
Still, when they see him, they’re awestruck.
Every time.
It’s amazing to watch children approach Santa, gently hand him their handwritten letters, whisper in his ear exactly what they want, and walk away with a sparkle in their eyes, knowing Santa has the power to give it.
Ask any child – Santa can do the impossible.
***
The way children approach Santa reminds me of the innocence that once was within all of us.
Maybe it still is.
It’s the innocence of belief.
It’s the ability to believe that someone else is listening to us… that someone else is for us… that someone else wants to give us good things… and this special someone has the power to give us what we want.
***
We know, above all, this “special someone” is God himself. He is the giver of every good gift, the one who has the power to give us what we want.
That should be at the heart of our Christmas spirit, our belief in Emmanuel, God with us.
God for us.
***
Imagine sitting on your heavenly Father’s lap this Christmas. Put yourself in the presence of the divine. Gaze into your Father’s eyes like children gaze at Santa, and tell him exactly what you want.
Maybe it’s deeper faith in his Son, Jesus – a faith that can move mountains, a faith that is never shaken.
Maybe it’s more joy in your heart – a continuous pep in your step.
Maybe it’s peace. Or a firm hope that 2020 will be better than 2019.
What is it? What do you want from God this Christmas?
***
“Ask and you shall receive,” Jesus says. “Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.”
My brothers and sisters in Christ, may every blessing you seek be yours in 2020, for Jesus is more than Santa; he is Emmanuel, God with us.
Merry Christmas!