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franklin county times

Santa is whomever you make him

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and children all over the world will be expecting a special guest tomorrow night as they all will leave out milk and cookies for Santa Claus.
While many skeptics that say Santa doesn't exist, he really does – in the heart of those to care enough to give.
Christmas is a time of giving, not receiving. Christmas cannot be bought or sold. It is a feeling of love, togetherness and grace from God.
While some people think giving means to go out and buy something to go under the tree, it means to give openly and freely from the heart.
Santa Claus always gives from the heart to fill the wishes of little boys and girls.
Santa exists in the hearts of millions of children around the world including in the hearts of my own children.
My boys love Santa, and he is so real to them.
To them, Santa is about much more than gifts. It's about the children learning to love and to be concerned about someone else outside their own families.
You can tell just by watching a child visit with Santa at the mall that they really do love the big elf dressed in red, and that they want him to eat their milk and cookies every year.
In return, the pure-hearted kids get presents from their beloved friend.
You can't get any more innocent and wonderful than that. The child/Santa relationship is a precious thing because it only lasts for a few years in their lives. Children grow up and stop believing.
Some kids think Santa isn't real because they didn't get the right toy.
Maybe their minds changed at the last minute.
Others have to leave their childhood behind because mom and dad can't afford to buy them presents.
In those cases where mom and dad cannot afford gifts, it's important for other Santas to jump in and lend a helping hand, much like the Faith Mission Outreach and other charities do.
I'd like to send a special thank you out to all of those Santas who made the effort to help a child in need this Christmas. I know that your heart has already been blessed by your love and generosity.
Merry Christmas everyone!

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