Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the World

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas, how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.
If you havent read this beautiful response written and appearing in the New York Sun on September 21st, 1897...stop what you are doing, google: Yes Virginia AND, visit here to read some history.

Today, was the first day of the Salter's Advent Adventures.
Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus was our story for this morning.
When Audrey awoke this morning, she stood at the top of the steps, as I stood at the bottom and yelled up to her the myriad of things we would be doing to celebrate Advent. Jim yelled down: "Tell her...Mommy, you are freakin me out!...I just woke up" and Audrey mocked his words to me, "Mommy, you freaking me out!"

Perhaps, I am a little overzealous in the morning.
But, I was so excited to start our new annual tradition.
We are anxiously awaiting the birth of Baby Jesus. Through advent, we celebrate in remembrance of the birth of a baby born in a manager. I want my little girl to understand why we truly celebrate. We love Jesus.
I have many friends whom choose to celebrate the true Christmas and not incorporate Santa.
I choose BOTH.
Growing up in the little village of English Center, my dad WAS Santa for many years.
He would dress up every Christmas eve and make his way around our little 1 horse town. every child got a present, every old person got a visit.
I knew it was my dad and not really Santa. He was Santa's helper...and I BELIEVED!
To me Santa Claus is someone who abided by God's commandment to LOVE one another. He is a man with a spirit that God wishes each of us to have.
He is God's servant, just like you and I.
As a child, I would go to our little church on the hill in White Pine and there I would hear the real story of Christmas, about the King born in just a manger, born to save the world....and I BELIEVED! Under that roof, with candle light dancing on the ceiling and walls, and silent Night sung softly, everyones eyes closed in praise....there was nothing to do but believe.
To me, Christmas was magical. I want that for Audrey; that feeling of magic that you can almost smell in the air.

After reading our 1st of 25 Christmas stories, we opened our Advent tree and she received the first of her little advent gifts. Today's gift, a green and red snowflake bracelet.

Before she and Jimmy woke, I went downstairs and cooked up some red and green pancakes with snowflakes( coconut flakes) as our first fun advent activity. They were a hit! The little girl who doesnt like to eat, scarfed them down!YUM!

Next, we sang our first christmas song: We wish you a Merry Christmas. Audrey LOVES to sing, so we had to sing the song twice. LOL!

NOW, we are snuggled up on the couch and watching a Muppets Christmas Carol.

She doesnt love the movie, in fact, she is asking to watch Calliou. LOL!
In all of this activity, I took a minute to pray: Dear Lord, bring the christmas spirit to us, let us remember the birth of your son, born in a manger, born to be a king, born to save us. Please help us to always remember this holiday season that we should be more focused on giving than receiving. Please help us to insert your name in to every praise that falls from our lips. Please place opportunities to be YOUR hands and YOUR feet into our paths.
Our scripture for today:Luke 26-30
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. (28) And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (29) But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. (30) And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
God Bless each of you during the first day of our advent season!