What do Santa and Jesus have in common?

• children
• sitting on his lap
• asking
• Christmastime
• Saintliness
• the whole world in one night
• led by a light
• Holiday Spirit
• gifts, warmth, kindness, love
• you gotta believe…

or it’s just a story, a myth, long-told. Verses recited with option for annual renewal. Santa and Jesus, they both come again this time of year. Do you believe?

Belief is an amazing thing. When I believe in myself, I am better. When I believe in you, you are better. My belief in you may even help you believe in yourself. Now, that’s magic, isn’t it? Because that is a gift that keeps giving.

How good it is that, year after year, we have the chance to resubscribe to this St Nick of Christmas and to this Jesus of Nazareth. Quite the pair: a jolly old elf who flies through the night on a reindeer-drawn-sleigh and a babe born in a manger, witnessed by shepherds and visited by wise men.

They both bring out the best in us, year after year.

Not so much to do with facts, figures, or catching him in the act. Separate from packages, tinsel and ornaments on the tree. Carols and mistletoe, nice, but not necessary. More about the internal trappings, that intangible stuff no one can quite put a finger on, that impels us toward better.

Kind of like believing.

Merry Christmas, friends.