Day 14 - 25 Days of Christmas

Santa Claus?  Is he real?  Every child and adult will ask such a question.  I found an article I believe says it best about Santa Claus.  As for me....as long as I remain young in heart and as long as I give to others...Santa still exist.

IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS?

(The Sun)

The following article originally appeared on the editorial page of the New York Sun., September 21, 1897, and was reprinted  for many years in the December 24 editions of the newspaper.

We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

Dear Editor, I am 8 years old.

  Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

  Papa says "If you see it in The Sun it's so."

  Please tell me the truth.  Is there a Santa Claus?

                                                  Virginia O'Hanlon

                                                   115 West Ninety-Fifth Street

VIRGINIA, Your little friends are wrong.  They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.  They do not believe except they see.  They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.  All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little.  In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.  

     Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.  Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus!  It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginia's.  There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.  We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight.  The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

     Not believe in Santa Claus!  You might as well not believe in fairies!  You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down what would that prove?  Nobody see Santa Claus but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.  The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.  Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn?  Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there.  Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders thee are unseen and unseeable in the world.

     You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, not even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.  Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond.  Is it all real?  Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

     No Santa Claus!  Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever.  A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, the will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Is the child still in you?  Think about.  I can honestly say....the child lives in me...that is what keeps me young.

YES VIRGINIA....THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS!!!!

Day 13 - 25 Days of Christmas

This week is packed with much to share and with much thought, I have chosen to begin this work week with something special.  As we are preparing to give gifts to our friends, family and special loved ones, let us not forget the most important gift and perhaps the most expensive gift you can give...especially to our children.

I share with you today came from the book "God is in the Small Stuff".

The perfect Gift to your young Child (or friend and family member) (emphasis mine)


"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him". (Psalm 127:3)

     There is no shortage of gift ideas for your young child.  Millions of advertising dollars are devoted to directing your attention to the "perfect" gift.  You feel guilty if you can't find something that will educate, stimulate, and build self-esteem all at once (and it 's got to be politically correct, biodegradable, and bilingual, too),  The marketers know that price is no object because this is your child, and you won't settle for anything less than the best.

     Well, we have a suggestion for the perfect gift.  It is not easy to find, it is terribly expensive, but we guarantee that it will last a lifetime and it will be your child's favorite.  We're talking about your time.

     Your child's greatest need is the security of knowing that you care.  There is no better way to convey your love than to spend time with your child.  Hours invested in your child will produce dividends now and in the future.  You will be building a relationship, moment by moment, that will be the basis for a lifelong friendship between the two of you.

     Don't be misled by the myth of "quality time" - it is an admirable goal, but it should not be  used as an excuse for missing "quantity time" with your child.  Quality moments usually can't be scheduled.  They happen spontaneously, without warning, in circumstances you don't anticipate.  Those precious, teachable moments will be initiated by your child, while you're playing in the backyard, driving in the car, or starting at a worm in the dirt.  For your children, all of the time you spend together can be "quality time" because it is then that they have what's most important to them - your attention.

     This is a gift which does not come cheaply.  It will cost you.  You may have to forgo other activities.  You will have to say "no" to other people.  you may have to set aside a few personal goals or hobbies for a few years.  But don't worry.  Those other things and folks will be around later, but the childhood years are soon gone forever.  They are irretrievable.

     Give your child the gift of your time.  Sure, there is a limited supply, but we've never seen a tombstone which read: "I wish I had not spent so much time with my kids."

• Teach your children to do more than they are asked to to.
• Help your child to discover his or her God-given abilities - then develop them.
• Speak with your children, not at them.
• Sit with your children, not on them
• Teach your children by your words (make sure they are kind), by your actions (make sure they are wholesome), and by your temperament (make sure it is controlled).
• True education must begin by instilling honesty in your children
• Teach your kids responsibility early
• Let your kids help you plan your next vacation.
• When you talk to your children, get to their level and look them in the eye.
• Hug your kids.  (Do not be afraid to show how much you love them with a hug).
• Take your kids out for ice cream after they've performed in sports, drama, or music, especially if they didn't do very well.
• Attend every open house at your children's schools. (may I add...always be present when they have a special program or event).
• Do not miss these "firsts" in your child's life: the first word spoken, the first steps taken the first day of school, the first graduation, the first game won, the first game lost, the first big heartbreak, the first big success.
• Kiss your kids good-night every evening, even if it wakes them up.

"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it." (Proverbs 22:6, NLT) 

May I add, this can apply to our grandchildren, nephews, nieces, etc.