A Message of Hope For All Faiths
By S.A. Lifeline’s Executive Director, Tara McCausland
For many of us, ’tis the season of twinkling lights, warm cocoa, and the age-old question that has endured through generations: Is Santa Claus real? As a parent, navigating the delicate balance of preserving the magic of childhood and revealing the realities of life can be challenging. My 8 year old daughter’s persistent inquiries about Santa’s existence recently left me in a quandary. Reluctant to shatter her innocent belief, I have turned the question back to her, only to be met with dissatisfaction each time.
One day, as I drove her to dance class, she again posed the question, “Mom, is Santa Claus real?”
I shared with my daughter the enchanting notion of a kind old man spreading joy across the globe in one magical night. Yet I went on to explain my own belief; that the genuine enchantment of Christmas lies in a different narrative. One that transcends the tangible and taps into the realm of faith and hope in the Divine. I spoke of a deeper magic. One that stems from my own belief that God’s love for us was manifested in the form of a humble birth of a special baby; a baby whose mission was to save us from the monsters of death and sin, to heal our broken hearts, and to bind up our wounds.
Hope In God Regardless of Religious Beliefs
Hope can be universal in nature and extends to those who light menorahs for Hanukkah, as well as those whose personal beliefs don’t include a holiday season at all. My experience is that the God of our understanding can bring light into the lives of all those who may be suffering. This includes those who have experienced sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. Even in our brokenness, we can find solace in the embrace of the God of our understanding. This Love allows each of us to heal and grow, no matter our circumstances or difficulties. The hope that redemption and renewal can be found in the face of our own struggles lights the dark places in our minds and hearts. As we experience this redemptive and renewing Love, we come to see that God really is working in our lives. When we open our hearts to this sublime truth, God can and will sustain us through the darkest times as we navigate suffering that can feel unbearable. THIS is something worth celebrating during this holiday season and all year long.
And so we return to the question: Is Santa Claus real? Santa Claus and the joy he represents are beautiful notions. Yet the enduring enchantment lies in the universal message of Divine Love that can apply to all of us. A love that mends our wounds, lifts us from despair, and offers hope for a brighter tomorrow. Regardless of personal beliefs, let us celebrate the profound magic that transcends the ordinary. We can come to learn that our hearts can be filled with the enduring warmth of God’s unwavering love now and always.
May your holiday season be filled with the love of God, hope and healing.
Come heal with us from sex addiction and/ or betrayal trauma. Find a meeting today.
You might also like this classic post “Recovery. My Greatest Christmas gift.”
