I have always been Santa-centric, Christmas is without a doubt my absolute favorite time of year. For me it represents a spirituality and innocence that is lacking for the most part, throughout the calendar year. For me it’s a time where it is O.K. to celebrate my faith and beliefs without too much controversy. Sure you’ll have the occasional chatter from those trying so hard to be politically correct in an effort to remain neutral keeping all sides happy in the event they want to run for re-election, but that is usually background noise for me. I am able to tune that out along with all the other chatter that doesn’t contribute to my life.

I have, as many of you know, two children. They are at the age now where they are being exposed to other ideas and beliefs. My daughter, now 11, is trying desperately to hold on to the magic of Christmas, but can’t help but wonder if Santa is in fact real.

My son, now 8, very much shares his mother’s passion for Christmas. He asked me the other day, very candidly, “Mom, are you going to sit me down one day and tell me that there is no Santa.” Quicker then I could ever think to blink I looked at him and said, "Absolutely 100 percent - no way. As far as I am concerned Santa is very much alive and real, you never have to worry about those words coming out of my mouth.”

I am 39-years-old and the spirit of Christmas is as alive in my heart today as it was when I was just 8-years-old, back when mom and dad were buying me a new winter coat and then heading over to the Midland Mall (if you can remember back that far) to take my picture with Santa. I still cry today looking at all those little faces staring at Santa, sharing their Christmas lists with St. Nick, hopeful that their wishes will become reality in the days ahead. 

You see, I do believe is Santa 100 percent. He is the one that inspires us to help those we’ve never even met with that special gift or act of kindness. He is alive in all of us every time we are asked for a donation at the market, by the Salvation Army, or by the many other angles out there soliciting our help, when we reach into our pocket, fully knowing we don’t have much to give, but give anyway because it’s the right thing to do.

Santa is more then a man in a red suit flying around on a magic sleigh distributing gifts, he is the spirit of Christmas that inspires us all. When we stop believing in Santa, we stop believing in magic and that inspiration to do good even just one time a year, will disappear. For as long as I have breath in my body, I will emphatically say, without shame or hesitation that yes I do believe in Santa!

And when asked by my children, "How do you know he is real, what if what we see isn’t really the truth?”  My answer is, "I don’t need to see to believe, I believe, therefore I see. Don’t question what feels good in your heart. If it feels good in your heart, it exists. It’s that simple."