Most every child looks forward to climbing up on Santa’s lap to tell him what they hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning. Seeing them smile, hearing them speak, and even feeling a few tugs on his beard (as long as it’s not too hard) are the things that make Santa smile back at everyone. But there is one thing that makes Santa a bit sad.
What is that one thing, you ask? Santa feels sad when a little boy or girl is worried that they have not been good enough for him to bring them any presents. It’s true! Santa told me this himself.
“I will never forget one evening many years ago, a little boy was standing in line to sit on my lap and give me his Christmas list. When there were only two or three more children in front of the little guy, he turned around, looked up at his older sister, and said, ‘If Santa asks me if I’ve been a good boy, I’m gonna say yes, and you’d better not tell him anything different.’”
Santa said he chuckled to himself when he heard what the boy said, but it also made him realize how important it is to make sure every child knows that the gifts he leaves under your tree on Christmas morning are gifts given out of love. Santa doesn’t put presents under your tree to reward you for being good. He doesn’t give you presents for being smart, for memorizing every line for the Christmas play, for kicking soccer goals, or even for doing all your chores without complaining…most of the time, anyway. Santa gives you and all the other children in the world gifts because of love. Santa loves to share, and he loves to make people smile. But most of all, Santa hopes that you will learn how wonderful it feels to share and want to do the same.
FYI: I share this message each holiday season out of care and concern for keeping Christmas in its good and proper perspective. Thank you.
