I Believe In Santa

Do you believe in Santa Claus? If you don't, do you think it's alright for children to believe?

I do. If it's true, as the Bible says, that it will take childlike faith to enter Heaven, then I believe it's this very kind of faith that gives each little child the Hope of Christmas.

When I was small, we were poor. But like every youngster, I had high hopes in Christmas. Great faith that Santa would come.

There would be a time when he would come for me...in the same way each of us looks for Christ's coming. This is a great and wonderful expectation, and we will not see Christ without the faith of a child.

And that special time always happened. Even though Santa didn't always bring my hopes and desires, it always worked out. If I asked for a sled, that special person (whom we call Santa)

knew it didn't snow enough where we lived for a sled to be a wise request, and he had the intelligence to know that I would be satisfied with his way. And so we, as Christ's children, sometimes ask amiss, and must bow to the greater will and intelligence of our Heavenly Father, who knows what's best for us, even if the answer is sometimes "no."

Very often, Christ sends His answers through earthly messengers, just as Santa-faith comes into reality with the help of Mother and Dad. And so I join every child each year, knowing that something special will happen on the night of Christmas Eve, and tomorrow will dawn in a special way.

And it is this childlike faith that I cling to as I wait for that special time known only to God, when Christ will come again. Let's look at Santa as our children's first lesson in real faith in action. Santa represents everything that's good, and might be looked on as a way for each youngster (as he or she

grows to the age of accountability) to understand the first step of faith in Christ.

I've read of many young people who were influenced to the bad by sinful things, but I have yet to hear of any child who rejected Christ because he believed in a Santa who represents love, joy and happiness.

Yes...I approve of Santa Claus.

Bill Thornton Christmas 83