Now?
Not so much.
I am striving hard this year to get it together; to not let the outside stresses interfere with my Christmas spirit. It's a day by day (sometimes hour by hour) struggle to maintain that spirit. It's hard. I used to have it together - completely organized: Christmas cookies and goodies for everyone; I was the first to send out Christmas cards everyone Christmas season - and I sent them to everyone I knew. Presents were bought and wrapped. Gift wrap and ornaments were color coordinated. Our house was always the gayest on the street. (Sorry folks. I just realized I used the "g" word, but I am hoping you are all mature enough to understand my true meaning.)
In an effort to stay merry and bright this Christmas I have lugged out my handy-dandy 3-drawer cart of Christmas cards, Christmas stationery, Christmas stamps and ink-pads, Christmas stickers, etc. I will not be mailing out very many cards again this year. I'm sure most of the cards I put together this year will be hand delivered. My sincerest apologies to those who used to receive cards from my family and no longer do. I have faith that you all understand the circumstances, and to know that I love you all very much!
Also in my 3-drawer cart, I have found some clippings and saved left-over stories, poems and games that I would stick in each year's cards. I would like to share some of those with you as I believe that they are in some ways timeless, in some ways meaningful, and hopefully, in some ways light-hearted and funny.
So here goes.... Enjoy!
Santa's Secret Wish
by Betty Werth
On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes
Looked deep into Santa's, to Santa's surprise,
And said as he nestled on Santa's broad knee,
"I want your secret. Tell it to me."
He leaned up and whispered in Santa's good ear,
"How do you do it, year after year?
"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts here and there, you never run out.
How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys
You have plenty for all of the world's girls and boys?
Stays so full, never empties, as you make your way
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"
And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
"Don't ask me hard questions. Don't you want a toy?"
But the child shook his head, and Santa could see
That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me,"
He told the small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder, and wise.
"The truth is that my sack is magic. Inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.
But although I do visit each girl and each boy
I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.
Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad,
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.
Some homes are broken, and children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?
"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But for homes where despair lives, toys aren't enough.
So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy,
And pray with them that they'll be given the joy
Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives
In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.
"If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find there
Are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love
And boys and girls gifted with light from above.
It's a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others.
But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed,
For God has a way of meeting each need.
"That's part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth.
In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day
More love than a Santa could e'er give away.
The sack never empties of love, or of joys
'Cause inside it are prayers, and hopes. Not just toys.
The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.
"And do you know something? You've got a sack, too.
It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you.
It never gets empty, it's full from the start.
It's the center of lights, and of love. It's your heart.
And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don't be so concerned with the gifts 'neath your tree.
Open that sack called your heart, and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."
The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for the secret. I've got to be going."
"Wait, little boy," said Santa. "Don't go.
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"
And just for a moment the small boy stood still,
Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered,
"I will."
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