THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

We made it through another Christmas with our nine year old son, Zach,
still believing in Santa Claus. Please don't write me nasty letters --
don't be upset with me. It has been fun to see a kid with an
imagination, and yet, able to keep it all in perspective. When he spins
his stories about Santa, most often, people will sing "Santa Claus is
Coming to Town" to him. They will remind Zach that "he sees you when
your sleeping, he knows when you're awake -- he knows if you've been bad
or good, so be good for goodness sake . . ." -- to which Zach quickly
replies -- "Not Santa -- only God knows when you are awake or asleep or
if you've been bad or good."

On Christmas Eve he set out his usual cookies, milk, a bottle of coke,
and some carrots for the reindeer. After climbing into bed and
eventually turning off the lights, our daughter and son-in-law rang a
set of bells. He was so excited -- and wanted to go downstairs. I wish
you could have seen his face when he saw the stockings filled, the
cookies and milk gone, and a box under the empty plate of cookies. The
box was wrapped in brown paper and had a note from Santa: "Thanks, Zach,
for still believing!" His eyes lit up and with the biggest smile
exclaimed, "Yes! I knew it! I know he's really real!"

As I watched this scene unfold, I was reminded that for all of us who
love the Savior -- that's a wonderful picture of faith! The writer of
Hebrews said, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen!" While we have not SEEN Jesus, by faith
we believe that He IS -- "And without faith, it is impossible to please
Him, for he who comes to God, must believe that He IS and that He is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6). Peter wrote
-- " . . . And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though
you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with JOY
inexpressible and full of glory!" (1 Peter 1:8)

May our lives be filled with child-like faith and abandon with joy and
love as we worship and adore the Christ of CHRISTMAS! May we be filled
with that inexpressible joy that says like Zach, "Yes! I KNOW IT! HE'S
REALLY REAL!"