Howdy Folks,
Since Feature
Friday is about "People & Horses Helping Horses & People"
featuring Santa Claus today might be a stretch, but I've seen plenty of
Christmas cards and art where Santa makes his deliveries in horse drawn
sleighs. And Santa Claus does deliver presents to horses all over the world
too. I have that on good authority. And since Feature Friday is about spreading
the word about the good that people do to help others, and share love, build
smiles and spread goodwill, I think Ol' Santa fits right in. And besides,
Ravishin' Robbie requested it.
Some say Santa
Claus has his origins with the life of Saint Nicholas, a fourth century Bishop
who gave gifts to the poor. Some say it was the poem written by Clement Clark
Moore, "An Account of a Visit from St Nicholas," for his children
that gave birth to our modern day understanding of the "Jolly Old
Elf." Thomas Nast later gave us the look we all know and love with his
cartoon published in Harper's Weekly in 1863. Stories abound as to how Saint
Nicholas transformed over the years to our beloved Santa Claus, and each of
these stories are steeped in the kindness, giving and love for others.
Ah Santa Claus.
Who among us has not smiled as we dropped our spare change in the red metal
bucket hanging next to a Salvation Army volunteer dressed in a Santa suit,
ringing a tiny bell and wishing us all Merry Christmas? Santa Claus is the main
attraction of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which has long been the official
send off to the Christmas season.
Santa Claus
carries with him, in his sleigh, in his sack and I submit in his heart, not
just trinkets, toys and presents, but the very spirit of the Christmas season
... Love, caring, happiness and sharing. When you're out and about and see the
children lined up waiting for that all important moment when they, perched on
his lap, have Santa's ear, don't you smile and chuckle sometimes in spite of
yourself? Ah, friend, that's the magic of Santa.
When your
children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews assure you they've been good and
promise to be good all year, that too is the magic of Santa Claus. For you see,
the magic of Santa is the spirit of goodness, goodwill and peace.
When you set out
the plate of cookies and cup of milk for Santa with your children, or remember
years gone by when your children were just tots and they knew without question
he would soon be in their very own living room slipping presents under the
tree, don't you feel the love and excitement in the air? That's the magic of
Santa.
Santa Claus has a
special kind of magic. A kind of magic that can brighten every heart, young and
old, rich or poor. Santa Claus doesn't ask that we do anything to feel his
magic, except to be nice. Isn't that a grand kind of magic?
Gitty Up
Dutch Henry
You don`t have to be a child to believe in Santa. I`m over 50 and still believe in him. I have no children of my own, but he still lives in my mind and heart, not just at Christmas, but all year long.
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.