Yes, Virginia, He Lives

It is the most famous editorial of all time and it was written in 1897. It has become a book, a major motion picture, a made-for-television movie and, in 2008, it became the theme for Macy's and the Make-A-Wish Foundation when Macy's launched the 'Believe' campaign for the holidays. The editorial has been translated into dozens of languages and distributed worldwide.

We all know the story, Virginia O'Hanlon just eight years old, when she wrote to the Editor of the Sun Newspaper to ask if there was a Santa Claus. The words he wrote her back have inspired millions and are reprinted each and every year. Such is the power of words and media to reach the masses.

Just imagine if Francis Pharcellus Church had written a different Editorial that day. I would like to write my own Editorial response to Virginia and (the entire world) this is what I would write:

Virginia, your little friends are skeptical because we are living in desperate times when folks will either believe in nothing at all or put their faith into false prophets. Faith is believing in things you cannot see or touch but you know they are there and they are with you always. One look at this great universe should be enough proof that God exists.

The whole of truth and knowledge speaks to us in no uncertain terms that He lives today as surely as He did yesterday and He will live on tomorrow, long after you and I have left planet earth.

Yes, Virginia, there is a God. Without Him, there would be no love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control. How dreadful it would be in this world if there were no God. We have his Word, His poetry, His love letter to us all - in the bible. It can bring you all the enjoyment you will ever need to live a life worthy of living. His eternal Light will never be extinguished.

Not believe in God! Such foolishness - you might as well not believe in anything or even get up in the morning to go to work or play. Nobody sees God, but that doesn't mean He doesn't exist. Just stand in wonder at the wonders of the world.

The veil that separates Heaven and earth was torn by the Savior and His outstretched arms. You could never be good enough to enter Heaven on your own and so, Jesus died for you and He Lives today! Thank God, He got up again. He Lives and Reigns Forever.

A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, He Will continue to make peace for the hearts of sinful men that they may rest eternal in the lap of the Heavenly Father. God can love His children now because His Son laid it all down and got up again on our behalf from the Cross so long ago.

Yes, Virginia, He lives, and He can give you eternity with your Heavenly Father.

Do you know Him now?

Sources:

http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/

http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/clipping.htm

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?author=Francis%20Pharcellus%20Church&detailed_search=1&action=Search