Dear Santa, Sorry I didn’t write to you last year. I almost didn’t do it this year either, but I just felt compelled to do so. Every now and then, there are revelations that become a muse of sorts, and I just experienced the culmination of several elements into just such a must. Let me tell you about it. I suppose it started when I began doing this Advent devotional from Desiring God. It's been very much about the supremacy of Christ and the significance of His coming to Earth. It truly is more than just a story. It’s a fact. One of redemption and of love. You really should read more about it when you have a chance. Now, I have been faithful in doing the devotions every day until Sunday the 23rd. I’ll admit, I sort of ran out of steam. But also, I read through the rest of the devotions and have been pondering how I will wrap up my thoughts in one collective post here at 1Glories. This past Sunday while in church, I was reminded that Advent signifies the “coming” and expectation of Christ’s arrival. It’s interesting to me that, today, we too are awaiting His arrival to Earth, just as they had so many years ago. It’s not lost on me that He came in an unexpected way, and I gotta think that He will surprise us yet again when we conclude the final time of Advent. We don’t know when He’ll arrive nor do we even really know how it is He’ll arrive. We merely have the promise that He will. What we do while we wait is what makes all the difference in the world. So, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and anticipate the coming New Year, I reflect on the three “gifts” that are identified in the 12/25 devotion:

• A Clear Purpose for Living: to believe Jesus and love others
• Hope That Our Failures Will Be Forgiven: Let the freedom to fail give you hope to fight against sin. Yet, if you sin you have an advocate, Jesus Christ.
• Christ Will Help Us: 1 John 4:4 says, “He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world.” Jesus is alive, Jesus is almighty, Jesus lives in us by faith. And Jesus is for us, not against us. He will help you. Trust him.

So, Santa, as write to you in a metaphorical sense, this year I am asking that you help me remember these three gifts that I am given all year round. I’m also asking that you equip others to know, understand and embrace them. It’s in Jesus name I ask and pray. Amen.