It's almost Christmas, and today I want to give you a story and a message for Christmas. I've had a few listeners wondering if I could address some of my thoughts about the religious significance of Christmas. So in today's episode I want to talk about what Christmas means to me, what my faith means to me, and how the two are connected. I also read you a very sweet and inspiring story written by Leo Tolstoy. It's also known as "Simon the Cobbler" and it tells the story of an elderly shoe maker. One day he hears a voice - God - saying that He would come and visit him tomorrow. So that next day Simon gets up and works by his window, looking out at the people and waiting for Christ to arrive. What he sees and does in response is what makes this story a beautiful message of what God's love looks like. This is a bit more religious than what I usually do on my podcast, but I felt like it was a message I wanted to share, and in some ways needed to share. My hope is that this episode will encourage you to be kind, to do good, and to honor Christmas in your heart, and try to keep it all the year. From me and my family to all of you, I hope you have a very merry Christmas! Time Stamps: 00:00 Introductory thoughts and intro to the story 10:08 Where Love Is, There God is Also, by Leo Tolstoy 39:32 Thoughts on the story, and my Christmas message of encouragement to you   Past episodes that might deal with a bit of the religious side of Christmas: The Life of Our Lord: a Brief Look at The Gospel According to Dickens: https://cozychristmas.libsyn.com/the-life-of-our-lord-a-brief-look-at-the-gospel-according-to-dickens An Easter Carol by Charles Dickens? with Guest Gina Dalfonzo https://cozychristmas.libsyn.com/an-easter-carol-by-charles-dickens-with-guest-gina-dalfonzo   Ways to support the show: Wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PTGNQWISVZE/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_3 Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristmasPodcast  Logo shirt designs: http://tee.pub/lic/edygC_h4D1c    Contact Me: facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristmaspodcast  instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristmaspodcast/  twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod  youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCikiozEbu0h9pKeI1Ei5TQ email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com     #christmas #podcast #stories