“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is the famous reply that originally appeared on the editorial page of the September 21, 1897 of The Sun newspaper in New York. Children around the world wait in anticipation of Santa’s arrival each Christmas with his bag full of presents. I can still picture both the joy (and sometimes the terror) of children sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall. Christmastime is a great time for kids.
We’ve made Christmas fun for our kids too. But at our house Christmas was not all about Santa. Don’t misunderstand. Our kids have gotten more than their fair share of presents. Susie and I enjoy making the magic happen on Christmas Eve. Even after all the passing years there is nothing better than watching the amazement and thrill on each of the kids faces - now teenagers and adults themselves.
I hope that Christmas morning at your house is full of the same excitement, joy and love that we have at ours. At our house it is not just the presents or even Santa that makes Christmas special. This might come as a surprise, but it’s the “Wise Guys” that help to make Christmastime so special at our house.
Who are these “Wise Guys?” Like Santa, one of the most legendary, the “Wise Guys” give gifts each year at Christmas time to remind us what’s most important at Christmas: Jesus is the Gift of Christmas.
What makes makes the “Wise Guy” difference? We all know that Santa does not work alone; he has a workshop full of elves making toys and preparing for Christmas Eve. With Santa all kids have to do is wait for Christmas morning to open all their gifts. Not so with the “Wise Guys.” At our house we have “Wise Guy Apprentices.” As the kids have grown up they got to be involved in the magic of Christmas. Whether its helping to pick out a gift or wrapping presents they are involved in not just receiving but giving. We don’t just have the suspense of what we hope to get for Christmas, but together we have the anticipation of keeping the secret and giving to each other. That’s what makes Christmas morning special. Jesus said it best:
- “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35 NIV
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