If you just believe...

GRATEFUL GIRL'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
It's a day every parent dreads. From the time you welcome your infant into the world, you just know it's coming. That horrid moment when your baby boy or girl (usually between the ages of say 7 and 10) looks you right in the eyes and says, "Mommy, is Santa real?" Hard gulp. 

Kyle was about 7 when he took my hand before bed one December evening and declared, "Mommy, I'm old enough to know and I'm asking you honest, is there a Tooth Fairy?" Smart kid; a curve ball. Hmm. After he explained away the sheer ridiculousness of the Tooth Fairy's existence and the very unlikelihood that a rabbit could, on its hind legs, walk into your house and leave candy everyplace at Easter ("plus his handwriting looks a lot like yours"), it happened: the granddaddy question: "What about Santa Claus? Tell me the truth!" And as I looked in his little face silently and his eyes widened with painful realization, I wanted nothing more than to lie my head off. Instead, I found myself saying: "Sweetheart, the spirit of giving that Santa represents is REAL becuase GOD is real and Jesus truly walked this earth. He's coming back and I want you to know this is true."

"Mom, everyone knows Jesus is real, don't be silly..." he said to my deep relief. And, as I tucked him in then cried myself to sleep because this was the first telltalle sign my baby was growing up, it occurred to me that believing in the reason for Santa's spirit is the magic of Christmas at work.  Wonder Counselor ... Savior for all of us and mentor to Old Saint Nick, BTW.

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield, For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. R. Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song. R. Alleluia, alleluia. O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us Lord our God!