"I Want To Be Someone Who Believes"

I don't remember how old I was when I stopped believing in Santa Claus but I was probably too young... Definitely no older than six. Santa, or more accurately my belief in Santa, was the unfortunate victim of my older sister's need-to-know and her ability to get into the locked bedroom containing our Christmas gifts.

A few days ago I was standing in Hobby Lobby staring at a blue and silver sign that said "Believe" and debating whether or not to purchase when it hit me, something that everyone else probably already knows and it just took me a long time to figure out: Christmas is about believing.

It's the belief that there was a baby born in a stable and laid in a manger. It's the belief that a new star lead shepherds, and later wise men, to that stable. It's the belief that that baby went on to change the world in a big way.

It's the belief that there's a man in a red suit who gives gifts to good children. It's belief in the goodness of your fellow man. It's the belief that the magic and special feelings brought on by one special night can save Scrooge's soul or make the Grinch's heart grow... And it's the belief that those changes are permanent. It's belief in all the legends and stories of Christmas past.

Whatever else Christmas is about, it is first and foremost about believing. May you all find much to believe in this Christmas season and throughout the coming year.