Why I Believe in Santa Claus

I believe in Santa Claus, do you?

Yes, I may be a 47 year old man and a God fearing Christian, but I still believe in Santa Claus; and I think everyone should. When Saint Nicholas made a choice to help out those in need by giving them food to eat or a piece of coal for heating their houses, he wasn't thinking about changing the world, just helping out a small piece of it where he lived. I believe that his sense of love and compassion for others in need came from a special spirit that made Saint Nicholas find hope in all of human kind, but it had to flow from within him first.

Christmas seems to have a unique ability to bring wonder, amazement, hope and love; while at the same time causing frustration, arguments, conflict and even hopelessness. However, I don't believe it comes from the meaning of Christmas itself or the story of Jesus' birth; but as a result of our own personal outlook and expectations of life itself. For example, whether we are wealthy or not, if we are more concerned with the type of food we eat rather than being thankful for the food we eat, we will always be ungrateful for whatever food is put before us. I'm not saying we have to be super excited about the food, just thankful.

Even at my poorest moment in life where I had no idea how to feed my family as I had decided to pay for the cancer treatments and medications for my 2 year old son instead, I still had to make the choice to be thankful for the little bit we did have and teach my sons to believe the same. Christmas was difficult for many years while dealing with the cancer, my own heart attack, much sickness and no money, but we still always found something to be thankful for and made an effort to help someone else every Christmas to remind ourselves what the true meaning really is. The result has created two very compassionate, loving children that believe anything is possible if you just believe and don't give up.

Through it all I taught my sons that the spirit of Santa Claus really does exist and it is up to each of us whether we choose to believe in it or not. If you have read any of my other blogs or my books, you will understand how much I believe in the spiritual world around us. For me, Christmas is no different, there are many spirits that influence people for good and bad, and it is up to us to choose which to listen to. I believe Saint Nicholas was also influenced by a spirit, one that brought hope and love for those in need. His actions then inspired countless others to help those in need as the stories of him grew and spread throughout the world. And, if you take the time to research our human history even before the time of Jesus birth, you will discover many people like Saint Nicholas throughout every culture and time period. This goes to show that there is a greater spirit at work within the human race, trying hard to remind us of all the joy, hope, love and good we are capable of, if first we will just believe.

So the way I see it, there is a spirit itself influencing people such as Saint Nicholas and the many others like him, to create a desire within them to help others and spread the message of hope and love. As well, God then presented this message in the simple form of joy through the birth of Jesus. And, even though Christmas day is not celebrated on the actual day of Jesus birth, God has allowed us the opportunity to celebrate His son's birth, not because it has some extra importance to God Himself, but because it allows this spirit of hope and love a chance to create some good in this world. Even if it has to come through a heavy set, white haired, jolly old Santa Claus, who doesn't care about his own image or self, just others in need; God has allowed it to show us how we should be. However, it is ultimately our own choice to believe in this spirit of hope and love or not.

For some Christmas can be a time of happiness and joy. For others it is a time of sadness and regret. However, whether we choose to believe in Jesus or Santa Claus, the spirit of Christmas is about the Hope for something greater than what we understand at this moment; and the knowledge of a Love that surpasses all understanding, regardless of who I believe I am or how good or bad I think I am; the truth is I am Loved by God. But I must choose to believe it if I want this spirit of Christmas to be with me.

So whether or not those around me are wrapped up in their own Christmas desires, church gatherings, traditions, beliefs, or even Santa bashing; or perhaps they are living the true meaning of giving and loving others, I need to be aware of my own choices and if I am living the true meaning myself. As I choose this, the spirit of Christmas lives through me and I will find the hope, joy and love that Christmas is really about. I can then clearly see that the spirit of God is what has been influencing humankind to find hope and love from our beginnings, through His Gift of Jesus; through the actions of Saint Nicholas; through the image of Santa Claus; and even through me if I'll let Him.

This is why I believe in Santa Claus, because I know the spirit that he believes in too.

Merry Christmas, and God Bless Us, Everyone!

An Honest Review of Book Two, 'The Purpose'

     While reviewing some of my notes and posts in order to help inspire me with writing Book Four in The Chronicles of Malachai series, I came across this review of my second book, 'The Purpose' and felt humbled as to how the reviewer perceived my book and the various characters within. So I thought I would share it here for anyone who may be curious about picking up a copy for themselves.

     The Chronicles of Malachai are more than just stories about angels and demons, they address an ever changing world around us and the real life situations that affect us all. The deeper question each book continues to challenge is do we choose to face this life alone or can we take the risk and believe that perhaps there is more to our existence; can we learn to trust in God, who already believes in who we can be.


Review on 'The Purpose', Book Two in the Chronicles of Malachai Series:

     "This story hooked me from the start. Malachai's struggles with the demon, and moreover his struggles within himself not to give in to the darkness that the demon tries to convince him is inevitable, is a really interesting allegory for the fight against pessimism and apathy, as well as many medicalized struggles such as mental illnesses and addictions. Malachai's struggle to balance his desire to help others with his own yearning to have a grounded and fulfilling life is one which many readers, particularly those who are engaged in helping work in one form or another, will be intimately familiar with.

     I particularly enjoyed your employing Lucy as Malachai's source of strength as well as “greatest weakness.” This is such an apt description of what many close relationships can be for us as we muddle our way through the big questions of life. How close do we allow ourselves to get to others? How vulnerable, and open to hurt, do we allow ourselves - and our close friends or partners - to be?

     Similarly, in the scene in chapter 3 in which Malachai stands his ground with Pastor Ron and defends his choice to have honest and challenging discussions with his Sunday school students, Malachai emerges as a real role model. His commitment to open conversation, and refusal to shelter the children from realistic challenges they will face, is commendable. It is also a very accurate reflection of the state of modern discourse about controversial subjects. There are those who seek to shut down any rational, tempered discussion about issues that challenge us as a society, and write that discussion off as promoting immoral ideas or as exposing others (especially children) to undue confusion. Malachai serves as a great example of how to stand one's ground in the face of fearmongerers."

     I would love to hear your perspective on any of my books, please email or comment below and also let me know if you would be willing to let me share your review.

     Thanks for taking the time to read my life's passion and look forward to writing more for many years to come.

Finding Hope

Hope!

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has been given to us.”  

Romans 5:1-5

     When I watch the news or scroll through social media I often get the sense that Hope is something distinctly lacking in much of our world media coverage these days. Yet as I delve a little deeper into some of the actual stories, I find that Hope is truly the driving force with how many cope and survive through some horrific situations. Hope may not sell news as much as tragedy, shock and awe head-lines will, but I believe it is the core component of what compels us to care and find compassion for complete strangers we may never meet and only read or hear about. It’s almost wired into our very soul.

     An example is with the horrible shootings in Las Vegas. As I watched the news and read the social media reports of what took place; how many were killed and injured; expenses for victims; the heroism of first responders and ordinary people; and so much more, my heart grew heavy and all I could do was pray and hope for the best in each person’s situation. I wasn’t there amidst all the chaos, but I did have friends that were in Las Vegas at the time and I worried for their safety as well. I hoped they were far from this horrible situation.

     Then the opinions on gun laws; the police response; barricades locking people into the event; the constant updates on a lack of motive for the shooter; how many guns he had; who didn’t do what fast enough; on and on, I found myself getting so tired of the story and the many controversies that my own opinions began to get soured. Part of me still just wanted to focus on the heroic response of so many people and the stories of survivors, but with the constant controversies filling the media, all I began to feel was the death toll, tragedy and pain it seemed like everyone was going through. Hope got pushed aside and hopelessness was the better selling feature.

     Then came the comment of “Where was God in all of this” from others who were looking for someone to blame for the suffering they weren’t even going through but simply watching or reading about, like myself. My initial response was, “Same place He always is. Just ask for His help.”

     Of course one reply is that no one knew this was going to happen so how can we ask for His help and if He knows everything already then why didn’t He just stop the shooter. The answer, ‘Free Will’, He gave us the gift of free will to choose our own path in life and unfortunately the consequences can sometimes create situations and people who take that gift and do horrible things with it. Even though the ripple effect of those choices will continue to create negative ripples in other people’s lives for generations to come, if God dared to take control and make everyone involved from beginning to end do exactly what He wanted, people would be angry and blaming Him for not giving us our freedom. So He lets us choose our own path, right or wrong, and focuses on the bigger picture to guide us towards something greater which at the moment we cannot see.

     At the same time the shooter was making a destructive selfish choice to hurt innocent people, hundreds of other people made choices during the shooting to use their gift of free will to put themselves in harm’s way in order to help loved ones and strangers alike, and to create a positive ripple effect by choosing to care and be something greater than any shooter could destroy. I’m sure for the vast majority that were living through the shooting; they said some sort of prayer and hoped to survive. But for those that simply jumped into action to help, it wasn’t because God told them to do it or because they were such good religious people that they knew God would desire it, they did it because it was right to do, they hoped they could help and save others.

     As a Christian, I believe that God gave us free will so we can learn how to use it in a greater way that benefits not just ourselves but the world around us. The selfless acts of others in Las Vegas, a city known for its indulgences, ‘sinfulness’ and selfishness, still showed the world an incredible example of compassion, hope and selflessness which created a sense of hope within my own heart as to how much good there still is in this world.

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

     This verse has carried me through many of my own sufferings, not just because I know God is with me and always willing to help when I let Him, but because it reminds me that my journey through life is creating a unique character within me. If through all of the good and bad ripples created by my choices and the consequences of other peoples choices which affect me can end with me finding a sense of hope while I journey on this vast ocean called life, then I believe I have succeeded with building a right character.

     During the hard times if we can keep swimming and persevere, we can grow stronger and able to swim better and withstand more. The process however, can cause us to become bitter, angry, hurt, exhausted and filled with despair, depending on how we choose to see each situation. On the contrary even though the same situation happens if we choose to find something hopeful throughout it, we gain the strength to fight, stand, believe and can learn to build a life raft out of the garbage and find there is something greater to hope in than just the rough moment we are going through.

     Each book that I’ve written shares more about my own journey through this ocean of life and they reflect my belief of how much God has helped me throughout it all, even when I didn’t think He was there. God never promised us that this life here would be easy and painless, but He did give us something more to hope in, and a belief in something greater than ourselves.

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has been given to us.”

     God’s hope and love is part of all of us whether we choose to believe in it or not, because He created us to be so much more than what we give ourselves credit for. He never desired a bunch of mindless followers that He could simply control and command. Instead He trusted us with this gift of free will knowing that some will abuse it and use it for selfish purposes, but that others will use it to perform amazing acts of courage and bravery from the tiniest good dead to the greatest self-sacrifice for others, because God knew we are capable, worthy individuals with uniquely different characters who by persevering can overcome all odds and be the hope we see in others.

     Finding this hope simply comes down to a choice, it’s our free will.