We have shared so many wonderful memories together in these last 8 and a half months. We laughed together as you took your first dip in the swimming pool. We both gazed in amazement as you watched your first fireworks. We were both nervous and excited as you began to crawl for the first time. Now we are going to share another wonderful first, your first Christmas, and there are some very important things I need you to know.
You will notice that something magical and wonderful happens this time of year. If you listen carefully, you can hear the sweet silvery sound of bells in the air and if you breathe deeply, you might smell the first snow of the season. You will watch glittering ornaments twist and turn as they hang on our Christmas Tree, surrounded by twinkling lights and sugary candy canes. You also might notice this time of year can make grown ups act differently. It can make them louder, and move faster, and gather in large numbers at shopping malls and Targets. You will watch as people ignore the magic and worry more about wish lists and presents and it will make you sad because you will know that this time of year means something much more.
You will learn about a baby born in a manger surrounded by his mother and father, heralded in by angels, and visited by gentle shepherds. You will marvel and wonder at how much God loved us to send his son to rescue us in this way. We will teach you about Jesus, how to talk to him, how to worship him, how to know him, and how to love him as we do. He will be the star of the Christmas season, the reason we celebrate, and the magic of this time of year.
But there is someone else that we will teach you about this time of year. Someone else that loved Jesus and wanted to share that love with children, just like you. Someone named Nicholas who long ago decided to devote his life to giving joy to children in the name of Jesus. He would sneak presents into their stockings that were hanging to dry by the fireplace. Yes my darling, that's why we have stockings hanging on the wall, and why one of them has your name on it. He was a servant of our amazing and loving God and we still celebrate him each year. You will know him as Santa.
Yes, Elijah, there is a Santa Claus and he is just as real as you and me. Now he isn't watching you while you are sleeping, and he isn't going to take your gifts away if you are bad, but he will leave you a present to open on Christmas morning, and he will tuck tiny treasures into your stocking. He will show us how to give, without worrying about receiving. He will remind us to give to those who are in need. We will sing songs about him, snuggle in a warm blanket covered with his image, and even leave a treat out for him on Christmas Eve, but Elijah, my child, he will never be more important than the Creator that he served.
Now son, I need to warn you. There will be children that try to tell you that you've been tricked, that there is no such thing as Santa Claus. There will be those that laugh at you and that think you've got it totally wrong. But, Elijah, you aren't going to listen to them. No, you are going to listen to the still, quiet voice that tells you how much you are loved, how special you are, and how much kindness and hope you bring to the world.
So yes, my love, there is a Santa Claus and may the joy and wonder that he brings to you always point you back to the light of the world, Jesus.
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