Santa Claus

If you missed this week's kidz story, you're going to want to click HERE. Mialee is a sweetheart.

I'm curious. What are everyone's thoughts on Santa? Do you think he adds to the season or commercializes and takes away from the true meaning?

I know you're all sitting on the edges of your seats waiting to hear my opinion on the subject. Oh, alright, I'll tell ya.....

This book by Diane G. Adamson is my favorite book about Santa Claus. It is simple yet profound. It appeals to children and adults alike. The words and the art are lovely. It does a magnificent job of bridging the gap between Santa and Christ, allowing Santa to be part of the true spirit of Christmas. I think it is fabulous. This will be my daughter's 2nd Christmas and I plan to read it to her on Christmas Eve, just like I did last year. I guess we're starting a tradition - and you know how I love traditions! If I could, I would personally send a copy of it to each of you so you could join in on the tradition with us!

Yes, I believe in Santa Claus. I believe he is a whimsical and wonderful symbol of Christmas. He teaches us to be good. He is charitable. He asks for nothing in return (although he's not opposed to an occasional cookie). I think he teaches many wonderful things which are reminiscent of the savior whose birth and life we celebrate during the season.

When I was a child, my dad always led the family in song on Christmas Eve. One of our favorites was 'Let There Be a Santa Claus.' Which brings us to.....

Don't worry, I'm not actually going to sing to you. But I will share a picture of myself singing when I was a little girl. Just because I think it's so dang funny and it also pays tribute to my fab dad, who wrote the music for these wonderful lyrics.

Things I love about this photo: the look of utter adoration on my dad's face, my dad's blue sweater vest, the starry-eyed look on my face, the way I'm holding on my dad's leg for support, my Mickey & Minnie sweatshirt, my Grandma (who I miss so much at Christmastime), and the wood paneling.

I wish, I wish, I wish there were a recording of dear old Dad singing this somewhere and I'd find a way to put it on here, but there's not. The lyrics, are the heart, though, and here they are....

Let There Be a Santa Claus

by Kaye Volk

In the snow she walked the other day, her coat two sizes small

Her shoes were boys and much too big, and socks weren't there at all

Store windows dressed in red and green, she a tired little thing

Looked through the glass at the many gifts Santa would never bring

Let there be a Santa Claus somewhere inside of you

So you can fill another's need, there's plenty you can do

Look beyond your well-lit fires, kindle deep a sweet desire

Let there be a Santa Claus somewhere inside of you

A little boy tugged at my sleeve. "Sir, how about a shine?"

I watched him kneel on winter streets, like he'd done so many times

He tried to talk and smile a bit, yet cold and hunger won

I watched him as he walked away, God's own little one

Won't you learn the meaning of Christmastime this year

To ease another's burden, and wipe away a tear.....

Let there be a Santa Claus somewhere inside of you

So you can fill another's need, there's plenty you can do

Look beyond your well-lit fires, kindle deep a sweet desire

Let there be a Santa Claus somewhere inside of you

The message of this song was engrained into my mind and heart as a little girl. Oh, I believe in Santa. But I also believe in trying to be like him. I want to advocate his cause - to do good, to help others when they're in need. If we could all take a little bit of Santa's burden, and give to others this season, we would be giving the truest gift of all....

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
--Matthew 25:40

Messiah, by Jared Barnes

Christmas blessings to all of you,