The magic of the season

Yesterday was the Ward Christmas party for our church. Last night, we got a phone call from a member of the Bishopric asking if Mike would be willing to be Santa for a few minutes during the party. Of course!



We arrived at the party and after the short video, talks by several Elders in our ward and dinner, Mike was given a script and led to the room where the Santa Suit would be waiting for him. The Activities Committee person led the group in a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells and then....Wonder of Wonders! Santa appeared! All the kiddies started squealing and dancing around.



The Santa Suit fit Mike pretty well...except he kept tugging at the beard on his face. He was asked to read a poem on the symbolism behind the Candy Cane then he announced that there were Candy Canes under everyone's chair, and left! I thought it was kind of disappointing that they didn't plan for Santa to do the whole meet and greet the kiddies thing.



The men's restroom is right out side of the Cultural Hall. He went out the door, and went right into the men's washroom. It's a good thing he did. One little girl in the audience went racing after him. I found her in the foyer of the Church with her face pressed up against the glass doors.



"Who are you looking for?" I asked her.

"Santa! I think he parked his sleigh out there!" she responded, looking at me with eyes full of wonder.

"Really?! Do you see anything???"

She looked a little dispointed and answered, "No!"

"Do you think maybe he parked his sleigh on the roof of the chapel?"

She paused, gave a very solemn nod, looked up at the ceiling and then back at me.

"Do you think we'll see anything?"

She shook her head and went running back to the Cultural Hall.



I was so tickled at having witnessed this precious girl and all her innocent wonder. It really touched my heart and reminded me that we all need to "become as the little child." Her faith that Santa was out there and that even though she couldn't see him, he still was there mirrored my own feelings about the Savior of the World, whose life we celebrate this season. Even though I cannot see him, or feel him in person, I still know that He is there and that He loves me. Adam fell that man might be, Men are that they might have joy. The Savior is that Joy. The Joy of the world.



I wish all of my friends and family a wonderful Christmas season. May the Spirit of the Holidays remain with us throughout the entire year. May we continue to be like little children and wonder at this world that God has made for us!





Joanne