MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is just a few days from the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day gatherings, eating too much great food, exchanging gifts that were so carefully selected, being exhausted from cooking and shopping and traveling, hugs from family and friends, and wondering where to exchange that gadget you just unwrapped.

Santa is being tracked by radar now and children can watch as he approaches their part of the world. In days past Santa was wherever our parents wanted him to be. Parents would tell children the week before Christmas that Santa is outside their window checking to see if they are naughty or nice. Computers and tracking devices changed all that.

I believe we have to assume that Santa Clause is just everywhere. He is inside our homes, at our neighbors, at the grocery store, on the city streets, at the creek bank, at our sports events, at school, in long lines at big box stores and he is even on the screens of our computers. More importantly, Santa Clause lives in our hearts. It is the Spirit of Giving and can be called by many other names. Christmas time is a time for Christians and others to share the love we have for each other by gift giving. The gifts do not have to come from a shopping mall or be ordered from Amazon. A gift can be a smile, a hug, a compliment, encouraging words, holding a door, showing kindness, helping someone load groceries, donating to food pantries or animal rescue groups. The gifts we give that cannot be boxed and wrapped with a big bow on them are the most valuable gifts. Be kind and considerate and inclusive of folks who appear to be different from us. Even those among us who outwardly appear tough have feelings and hurt the same.

Santa may just be checking his list for kind folks. Oops, I hear something. Hmmm, is that Elf on the Shelf a spy for Santa? I think I will go fluff him up and make sure he is comfortable, just in case.

Merry Christmas,

Montress