From my earliest memories ( all 8 years of them) I had been a follower of Santa Claus.
He was the one who came down the chimney with his toy sack and, to stop him being scorched, my dad ceremoniously put out the fire the evening of his arrival. Also Santa was left his cookie and glass of milk which he always appreciated during his busy night shift.
He was the one who left gifts by our two feet tall imitation tree.
It was all so wonderful; that is until Pat Pitchfork, the precocious kid from Shirley Avenue, blew Santa's cover.
I recall the scorn in her voice when she said: " You don't really believe in Santa Claus do you?"
Well of course I did. Who else drank the milk and ate the cookie?
Without mercy she replied "That's just your Dad fooling you. There is no Santa Claus."
Ah, the brutal honesty of children. My new football boots that year helped me get over the trauma, but a lesson had been learned.
It was this. There is a difference between the verifiable and the believable.
Years later, when I placed my whole confidence in Jesus Christ, it was through BELIEVING His written statements in the Bible. Fifty years of answered prayers and daily walking with Him have added VERIFICATION to that first step of faith.
Come and join me on the journey.
Merry Christmas.
Ian
