Do you believe in Santa Claus? Well, believe it or not, he's on his way and it's that time of year again to ask, Have you been naughty, or nice? Or perhaps the adult R-rated version, downright mean and nasty?
What I want to know after more than 2000 Christmases, and the annual overdose of proselytizing, sentimental holiday movies is, why do we still have to ask this question? When will we know without question we're on the 'good' list -- no matter how many times Santa checks it -- so we can be sure he'll bring us whatever our hearts desire?
Bah humbug, you say? Just silly kid stuff? Bear with me, I have a theory that might change your mind.
Proposition One: No one who is truly happy is nasty. No one. It's absolutely impossible. Look what a bit of happiness did for Scrooge! Just think of a time when you were blissfully happy; can you? Then remember how you reacted to any annoyance, large or small. You see? You dealt with it 'nicely' – and probably with a smile. Bliss is hard to hide.
So the question really is, Have you been nasty, or happy this year? What kind of choice is that, you say? Happy is hard, nasty is easy! Who can count on being THAT happy all the time?
That brings us to --
Proposition Two: The only thing that could make you blissfully happy – continuously -- is to KNOW you can have anything you truly desire in life, including perfect health and a heart full of love. That's bliss.
I'm asking Santa to bring me bliss this year -- the gift that keeps on giving. (It's a little like asking the genie who offers to grant you three wishes for a thousand more wishes, isn't it? I always thought that was SO clever!) Have you ever known anyone blissfully happy? Chances are if you have, it was a child. Children KNOW bliss because they believe – they expect their heart's desire, and believing alone, brings them joy -- even before the presents arrive on Christmas morning.
That brings us to –
Proposition Three: Believe like a child again, because what you believe WILL come true. Can that oft-repeated holiday formula actually work? Apparently our Christmas honoree, Jesus, thought so. Remember this?
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
"Bliss", "heaven", the "kingdom of God" – we're talking about the same thing. Santa and Jesus are offering the same deal! Easy as one, two, three...
1. Be good/happy (remember, you can't be nasty when you're happy) and --
2. Believe (completely -- like a child) that you can have whatever your heart desires and --
3. It's on it's way!
Be happy --
"Better watch out,
Better not cry,
Better not pout,
I'm tellin' you why –
Santa Claus is coming to town!"
And believe-
1 | 2
