You Are Loved
One of the warmest Christmas memories that I have was the year
that I was Santa Claus. I was a young, substitute teacher with a new
family just starting out in life. I was called in to work at the
local grade school on the last day before the Christmas holidays.
Near the end of the day I was summoned to the principal's office and
asked to be the Santa who visited all the classrooms. Being a great
lover of both children and Christmas I agreed.
I can still remember going from classroom to classroom doing my
best to sound both old and jolly at the same time. I was about 50
pounds heavier then so I had the round little belly part down fine.
My beard, however, was another matter as it kept sliding halfway
down my face. I think that more than a few of the kids recognized
me, but it didn't matter. They still rejoiced in seeing Santa. They
still laughed and delighted in their small gifts and candy canes.
They still felt joyous and happy. They still knew that they were
loved and that was all that mattered to them.
If there is one thing that I could give to each of you at
Christmas time and every day of the year, it would be that knowledge
that you are loved. You are loved and watched over by a greater love
than you could ever imagine. You are loved by God who made you, who
delights in you, and who wants you to be happy. In all the
difficulties, problems, and heartaches this world brings, you are
loved. In all the obstacles you must overcome, challenges you must
face, and pain you must go through, you are loved. In all the
mistakes you make, times you stumble, and wrong paths you take, you
are loved. You are loved every second of everyday of your life with
a glorious love that will never end.
Know that you are loved. Know that God loves you always.
Rejoice in this love with the joyous heart of a child. And then, like
a jolly laughing Santa, go out and share it with the world.
[ By: Joseph J. Mazzella -- from 'Inspired Buffalo' (InspiredBuffalo@lighthouse.net) ]
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