Oh how I remember the excitement of Christmas as a child even though it’s been years since those magical times. From decorating the Tree, helping my dad put the outside lights up, and the smell of baking that filled the house are memories etched in my mind forever. And Christmas Eve, the longest day of the year, I remember trying to will the clock forward so that bed time would come in order for Santa to magically transform our house into a winter wonderland – or at least it seemed to me.

 I’m married now with little ones of my own and seeing the same excitement in their eyes, as the Christmas season unfolds, takes me back to those childhood days. It was during one of these cherished seasons my son, (our oldest aged 10 then), provided one of my special Christmas memories. It’s Christmas Eve day and just as I experienced, my children are dying because it seems as if time has stood still. The excitement of knowing that by this time tomorrow stockings will be filled with toys and candy, Santa’s gifts will be delivered, and the presents under the tree will be opened is more than they can bare. Controlled chaos seems an appropriate description. To help with the challenge of this day, my wife and I have for the past few years made it a tradition to go see a movie in the early evening to help the day go by.

 My son Sterling was at that critical time when wanting to still believe in Santa but suspecting that mom and dad were up to something. As we prepared to go see the movie “Miracle on 34th Street” Sterling sought to do a little investigating.

             “Dad, Santa is not real is he? It’s really you and mom isn’t it”

 I knew that day would come but I had hoped it was still a few years off.

             “Well, I don’t know. I think Santa is real”, was my reply.

 Luckily it was time to get in the car and head off for the movie theater. I was relieved that I had withstood the first round. We all loved the movie as it depicted that magic that only comes at Christmas time – when dreams, wishes, and hopes are made a reality in unexpected ways. As we were leaving the theater Sterling turned to me and said in an excited soft voice,

             “Dad I still believe, Santa is real.”

 As we drove home I had warmth in my heart because my son wanted to “still believe”. Not because of the gifts that he would get but because of the goodness, hope, and service that Santa represented. Yes Sterling I too “still believe”. I believe that the inspiration of Santa can bring out the best in us as we seek to help our fellow man.