“In 1897 eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to the New York Sun to ask about the existence of Santa. The paper rendered its opinion in a famous editorial: ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.’ The question is still asked today. It demands our justification and explanation-after all, we initiated and nourished our children’s belief in Santa. What do we say when doubts begin to arise? How can we explain? Santa seems to be part of Christmas life; there is so much effort to make him real: ‘I have never seen the real Santa; I do not know if he exists: some say he does not, I can only believe he does, yes.’

Mythical nonsense, magic tales or a simple statement of faith? Jesus, too, seems to be a part of life; there is so much effort, especially around Christmas, to make him present and real. We have been nourished from childhood to believe in him. But is Jesus a myth or real? The question, at differing ages and for different reasons, is still asked today. Never having seen him, we can only believe he is real and meaningful for our lives; not everyone does.

Jesus asks us, ‘Who do you say I am – in your life?’ What have we done recently to make Christ more present in our life, more real to others?”  – Terrance Schneider



Dear God, we believe you are with us at all times.

Strength our vision of faith.

Thank you for all who have nourished our belief in you.

Guide us in sharing our faith with others. Amen

“’You better watch out,… Santa Claus is coming to town.’ The words of this Christmas song speak to children of all ages. Santa is a person of promise. His promise of gifts prompts carefully written letters with lists of soul searched needs and desires. Mailed in an atmosphere of hope, Santa’s gifts are eagerly anticipated and impatiently awaited. Youthful expectations and preparation finally give way to the joy of fulfillment on Christmas.

God, too, is a person of promise. He tells us to ‘watch out’ and to prepare because Jesus is coming. This gift of his Son is given to us in answer to our often unspoken needs and desires. Advent provides an atmosphere of hope for God’s children.

Do we anticipate a deepening awareness of his love in our life? Can we prepare in our actions and prayers for God to gift us with a growing presence of Jesus? Do we believe we can know the joy of spiritual fulfillment on Christmas?” – Terrance Schneider

Dear God, we appreciate the many blessings you have given us.

In Christ, you give us the ability to love and to be loved.

Bring us in our Advent preparations to a greater understanding and recognition of the person you want each of us to be on Christmas day. Amen.

“Rainy days usually depress us; why does falling snow make us feel so differently? Children cannot wait to play in it. Adults, though they hate shoveling it, look longingly out the window. In the northern half of the continent, people feel ‘it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ only when snow blankets the earth. Yet falling snow brings anxiety to the inadequately sheltered or clothed. For them, its bright blanket is a sign of winter’s bleak despair.

God’s love blankets the earth like snow, a gentle cover of forgiveness, kindness and peace. His Spirit covers our hearts with the clean brightness of his love. Do we see it?

If we are missing a sense of his forgiveness, kindness and peace, is it because something is causing us anxiety?

Can we do something to shovel this anxiety away?

Are any of our actions bringing a cold bleakness into another’s life.” –  Terrance Schneider

Dear God,

you want our lives to be brighter than snow.

Blanket our hearts with your graces.

Fill our minds with kind thoughts, our mouth‘s with gentle words, our lives with good deeds.

Be our hope for a joy filled Christmas. Amen.

“ A cold, clear night sky filled with starlight can fill a heart with an inner stillness and warmth. At Christmas, neighborhood homes decorated in brightly lighted strings of outdoor lights provide us with a special joy and peace. Towns and companies decorate their physical surroundings, too. The world seems to glow. At no other time does such a joy overflow through people’s doors and windows and into the streets, an outdoor beauty we hope reflects brightness existing inside.

A long time ago, a cold, darkened world was filled with the glory of God. The shepherds saw the first outdoor display as the lights of the world broke into the darkness of the human heart. As we transform the outside of our homes or decorate our windows and doors, maybe this year we can try to draw attention to Christ and the message of his light in our lives.

Is the beauty of Christmas only to be found on the exterior of our homes? Only skin deep in us? Can we do more than just prepare to landscape our houses with light? Can we try to brighten our hearts as well?” – Terrance Schneider

Dear God, true beauty is a reflection of what is in the heart.

Let your light shine in our lives to brighten our behavior and attitude.

In our many Christmas anxieties do not let us forget the needs of our soul and spirit. Amen