Believe and Give

It came right out of the blue.

Here, at the end of August, with no precursor.

My 4th grade son stepped into the room (in front of my 2nd grade daughter) and said point blank, "Is there really a Santa Claus?"

I have to say, I have been working on this for some time, but I was caught off guard here at the end of the summer. So, I asked him a question back. I was calm and collected. I seemed unfazed. "Why would you ask that?"

He quickly recanted, as if he felt he had gone too far. He was fast to deliver the answer, "Just wondering. I mean, I believe in him, I just hear things." As in, things at school. On the bus. Around.

Hmmm… I was feeling he wanted to test the waters, but also might not really want to know the answer to his question, at least not yet. I have long wondered about how to truth tell best about Santa. So, I said to him, "As for me, personally, I do believe in Santa. Many adults do not, and a lot of kids don't either. I believe in the spirit of Santa, and of giving gifts to others."

This sparked more questions, and my daughter jumped in too. I felt - and I believe they felt - we had crossed into forbidden conversation territory. It felt conspiratorial, as if we were all in this struggle together. Because this conversation isn't just about the man in the red coat - it is about truth telling, and about age appropriate truth telling, and about preserving magic - which none of us get near enough of these days. I knew that what was most important to me in this conversation is that my children still trust me, and they retain some magic. It is also about letting them grow.

So, I decided to take a chance. I never directly answered the question, but I did redirect a little. I told the children that you can believe whatever you choose to believe on this matter; but that part of your responsibility as you grow up is to learn from and be part of the stories of Saint Nicholas. Here was a person whose legend is hard based in giving to others - usually anonymously - in order to preserve the dignity of those in need. So, whether you believe or not in Santa, you can always honor the stories by learning to give yourself.

This conversation isn't finished. It may have disastrous results. But my hope is that the magic can translate from receiving to giving.

To go further, Jesus talks a good bit about giving, and even more about being kind in your decisions toward others. Like St. Nick, Jesus seems to have preferred the quiet method.

"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure - 'play actors' I call them - treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out , don't think about how it looks. Just do it - quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out."
Matthew 6:1-4 (The Message)

Now, I don't know how others feel about this, but I find it very challenging. I like doing good, and I like being noticed, and I like others to know I did good. I'm a terrible "secret-giver." (I'm a good secret keeper, though!) I worry if someone got what I gave, if they liked it, if they used it. I also know I am missing the lesson big time.

I think Santa is good practice for adults, if we can see it as such. If only we could put it into action more every day. What kind of difference would it make? What would it mean to make an impact somewhere of which you could never even see the affects?

I was fortunate enough to hear Dave Ramsey speak earlier in the year. Here is a quick quote from him on the impact of giving to others:
"Dream with me for a few minutes. What would it look like if your church—your entire congregation—was filled with passionate, loving, outrageous givers? What could you accomplish in your community? What could you accomplish around the world?
Sadly, you’d almost have to dream about that. The truth is that only about 3% of evangelical Christians give a tithe. What about the other 97%? Are they selfish and greedy? Do they just not love God enough to open their wallets? I used to think that. But now that I’ve worked with families for decades, all across the globe and certainly across North America, I’ve discovered that is just not the case. They aren’t greedy—they’re broke."

Christians aren't just broke in terms of their wallet. They are often broken in spirit as well. If you want to help change that feeling in your self - a child - a friend - a family member, let your cup run over a little. It doesn't even have to be monetary; it is amazing what a little time well spent will do. If you will this week, be intentional about listening for needs. I am willing to bet you will hear plenty of them. Talk with your spouse or a friend or your kids. Or, see if you can keep it to yourself. Try to meet one need out there in the spirit of Santa - with a giving heart and an open ear.

After all, it is good Christmas practice. It is good spiritual practice. And it will heal you more than anyone else. Best yet, if we can really start this practice, we might just heal the world, one step at a time.

Amen.

In Wisdom,
Brandi Calhoun Diamond

For more information on Dave Ramsey's thoughts on spirit and financial giving, please see the entire article at https://www.daveramsey.com/momentum/index.cfm?event=displayContent&intCo....