On this day when Christians around the world pause to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, I am also pausing to reflect on choices we make. Or more specifically, the choices I make.

It is my choice to believe that this day is different than the rest.

It is my choice to believe that the one called Jesus of Nazareth was, in fact, God in human form.

I know all too well (thanks to many friends who never or no longer hold to these beliefs) the improbability of this being true. I know that this belief flies in the face of reason.

And yet, I choose to believe in something that is bigger than reason. I choose to believe in something my mind cannot fully comprehend. I choose to believe in a God who desires wholeness for God's creation so deeply that God became a part of it.

Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly." This from the Son of the God who told the Hebrew people, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

I choose to believe that God does offer me life and blessings and that I must turn toward God in order to see what that means in my life.

Many of my choices this fall have led me to focus on the difficulties and holes in my life. But I am choosing this day to once again remember the offers of Jesus and God the Heavenly Parent of life abundant. It's there for the taking.

As I write this I am reminded that this is a choice that I have to affirm and reaffirm constantly. It is all too easy to forget God's promises. So with great thanksgiving for all this day means for me, I choose to reaffirm my belief in the life-giving God made real in the Christ child.