I have to admit, I’ve been a little discouraged with the negative press lately in regards to Christmas. Today, my pride in man-kind has been renewed. Christmas is a time of magic, a time to enjoy family, a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. I understand not everyone celebrates the holiday with the birth of Christ, I respect that, but I also expect the same respect back. But, this pride doesn’t have anything to do with Christ, it has to do with Santa. The spirit, the magic of a dear jolly man and a group of people who go to great lengths to keep that spirit, that magic alive.

Norad is a group of people that go to great lengths to keep the spirit of Santa, the joy he brings to children alive. My nephew is almost 2, the excitement and the joy on his face today as we’ve watched the video updates on where Santa is has made me remember the joy of Santa, the reason he is part of our celebration. The excitement on Rider’s as he squeals “More Santa more!!” has made me believe, again, in the spirit and magic that surrounds this season. The magic of a man who is able to fly around the world in 24 hours. The magic of a man and his eight reindeer who is able to visit billions of children on one night.

It reminds me of the spirit of a man who was born in a manger for us. A mother who gave birth in a filthy stable knowing her son would bear the sins of the world. The man who took the shame of bringing his pregnant betrothed to meet his family. The woman who faced the world pregnant, but a virgin, bearing the Son of God with her head held high. The magic of the season is alive, the spirit of this time of year lives on.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

O Holy night

~ Words by Placide Clappeau, 1847; trans­lat­ed from French to Eng­lish by John S. Dwight ~
~ Music by Adolphe C. Adam ~

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Mary Did You Know

~ Words by Mark Lowry ~
~ Music by Buddy Greene ~

Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know, that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered,
Will soon deliver you!

Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will give sight to the blind man?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know, that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod
And when you kiss your little baby,
You’ve kissed the face of God?
Oh, Mary did you know?
Mary did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again,
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
Praises of the Lamb?

Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know, that your baby boy
Was Heaven’s perfect Lamb?
And this sleeping Child you’re holding
Is the Great I AM