I believe-

Do I really believe in a virgin birth? In a perfect human? A Savior for ALL people? Do I believe in angels and heaven and an afterlife? Do I really believe that miracles still happen and God still speaks to us? Do I believe in prophecy and the language of tongues? Do I truly believe in a being that created us all in his own image, a being that is all loving and benevolent, kind and good? In fact and in truth, I do. But I also believe in humankind. I believe that same God created us for far greater things than we are accomplishing. I believe that He made us and this world and set it on its course and whispered into our very souls, "As I have loved you, love one another. Take care of each other in my place. I won't be with you in body so you BE my body. Love the fatherless, love the widows, love the orphans, love your neighbor, be fierce in your protection of children, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the downtrodden, give asylum to those who are seeking refuge, visit the prisoners, forgive seven times seventy and then forgive again, don't judge every little thing, but if you must judge, judge righteously. But above all, love one another, as I have loved you." Faith in something you have no proof in perhaps seems silly or even a little crazy but my faith makes me who I am. My faith in the Baby Jesus and most especially the man He grew to become helps me to be more loving and forgiving, more in want of change, change for our world, for myself and for my family. My faith makes me more tolerant, it makes me want to be the woman I was meant to be. And with that faith you must continue to hear the bell. I love the analogy of still being able to hear the bells of Christmas when you grow up from the children's book The Polar Express. When we were children we ALL heard the bells or the magic of Christmas but as we get older somehow we lose the magic of believing. Believing is the only thing that makes life magical and fun and worth getting up every morning for. Do I still believe in Santa Claus? Heck yes! I believe in everything he represents. I believe in giving until you have nothing left to give, in making children smile and I believe in things that seem impossible being possible. I believe in his symbol of Christmas, that it truly is better to give than receive. That is why I know down to my very core that there are things greater than ourselves, ideas, thoughts and a loving creator that didn't leave us alone. He sent His son to save us all. He came in the meridian of time to save each one of us and He would have done it if there were just one of us. How dearly I love and appreciate His sweet sacrifice on my behalf, and yours, and my children's. I love the thought of that precious little baby boy born in the City of David in the most humble of circumstances, born into a troubled world to bring it peace. I love it's simplicity, it's grandeur and it's perfect form. So, do I believe? Yes. Yes. One hundred thousand times, yes. I believe. Merry Christmas dearest friends and family. May you keep and hold the magic of Christmas in your heart this weekend and may It give you peace and love forever.❤️