74ยบ here in La Feria, TX at 12 Noon on Wednesday. Just finished riding the trike 7.86 miles - will try to finish 10 miles after the Christmas Dinner at the Rec Hall.
At right is a list of Things to think about: that I have had on the computer for some time.
Bobi Raab surprised all when she played the piano along with Pat Smith at the electric organ. Pat usually does the piano playing.
I had a reading:
After several readings and carol singing the skit "Kneeling Santa" was performed.
Kneeling Santa Skit
(God’s
voice in bold)
Once upon a time, not very long ago, two
women shoppers were talking –obviously very concerned. “Buying Christmas gifts for family and
friends is one thing—and I am glad to do it—but I’m afraid Santa Clause is
taking over. He is causing many people
to forget the real significance of Christmas”
“I agree!
After all, it is Jesus’ birthday!” her friend responded.
Now, Santa overhears a lot when he is out
making his list of who’s been naughty or nice—and much of what he hears goes in
one ear and out the other. But, this
Christmas he couldn’t stop thinking about what the women had said.
Even while helping the elves load his
sleigh on Christmas Eve those awful words rang in his ears. Could they possibly be right?
As he went from house to house delivering
toys, Santa couldn’t stop worrying. Some
people do forget Jesus on Christmas. Could it be his fault?
Santa’s last stop—as usual—was at a church
that had a life-size Nativity scene.
Every year Santa loved to be the first person to wish Jesus “Happy
Birthday” – and he always brought special present for the Christ Child.
But this year Santa’s footsteps were slow
and heavy. He opened the door at the
back of the church and crept into the very last pew. His feet refused to carry him forward to the
crib where the figure of the infant Jesus lay. (Santa enters – wait until
gets in and sits in chair)
He hid his present under the pew. He had never felt so drained. A tear rolled down his cheek. Even though children had left him cookies and
milk—and many loving letters—he still couldn’t remember when he had felt so sad
or so alone.
“What’s wrong? Giving presents was always such a joy before,”
Santa thought. He sat back and closed
his eyes, when suddenly he heard a voice calling, “Santa!
St. Nicholas!”
Santa quickly wiped his eyes. He didn’t want anyone to see him crying!
He looked around the church. The voice sounded familiar, but there was no
one in sight.
“Cheer up! It’s certainly not your fault that some
people forget the significance of this day.
Ever since you were born in far off Turkey, only 300 years after my son
Jesus was born, you’ve done farm more than most to spread the true Christmas
Spirit!”
Santa could hardly believe his ears. God was actually talking to him! And his voice was warm and loving. He didn’t sound angry at all!
“Don’t ever forget your long
and distinguished career! It all began
when, at a very young age, you were named Bishop of Myra because of your many
acts of charity.”
Santa smiled, suddenly remembering his
colorful past. “Everyone called me
Nicholas then,” he recalled, “and that’s when I first discovered how great it
feels to help those in need.”
“And you certainly helped them
often. Remember that poor merchant who
didn’t have enough money to pay for weddings for his three daughters? You secretly threw a bg of gold into each
girl’s window, thinking that no one would see you—but someone did. For that good deed you were named patron
saint of young marriageable maidens. The
three gold balls that hang outside pawn shops to this day represent those three
bags of gold.”
Santa chuckled
quietly. He’d forgotten that!
“You’ve always loved children. Among many other good deeds, you were
credited with rescuing some young boys from a horrible death and were named
patron saint of children.”
“That’s the title I
treasure most of all. And, I’m the
patron saint of Russia, too!”. A big
smile lit up his face. He certainly had
led a busy and exciting life! “Churches
in many cities are named after me. My
feast day, St. Nicholas day, is December 6th, a very special day for
celebrations and gift giving in many parts of the world.”
“You are known by many names as well. From the German you are called ‘Kris Kringle’,
which literally means ‘Christ Child’.”
“That’s true—but my most popular name is
Santa Claus! Some say it comes from the
Dutch ‘Sinter Claes’, but I like to think it comes from the way small children
say ‘St. Nicholas.’ ‘SaintNicholas,
Saintnicholas, Santa Claus!’”
Santa pulled thoughtfully on his beard and looked down at
his bright red suit. Red had been his
favorite color ever since he wore the red robes of a bishop. But he hadn’t been so fat then!
“Jesus and I want to thank you
for helping spread the news about Christmas to every corner of the world. Every year you help millions of people, young
and old, show how much they love one another.
Because of you people everywhere fill their hearts with joy and love on
Jesus’ special day!”
“Thank
you, God,” Santa whispered. He felt
better than he had felt for months. His
was a very special job after all! Santa jumped up. Next year he would work even harder filling
hearts with love and joy so they would be ready for the Christ Child on
Christmas morning. He could hardly wait!
The morning sun streamed through the stained-glass
windows of the church. It bathed the
figure of the infant Jesus in its bright, warm rays. Santa reached under the pew and pulled out the
present he had brought for the Christ Child.
He knew he would have to hurry if he
wanted to be the first person to wish Jesus “Happy Birthday.” He almost ran up the aisle and knelt before
the infant Jesus. He reverently placed
his beautifully wrapped package next to the manger.
It was the same present he had given Jesus
every year, but now he knew for sure it was the one present Jesus wanted most
of all. Inside the box were Santa’s
lists of the kind and loving things people—young and old—had done for one
another during the year.
“Happy Birthday,” Santa whispered to
Jesus. “And please thank your Father for
making a special place for me in his plan.
I promise never to doubt his wisdom again.”
He smiled lovingly at the figure of the
tiny infant.
Now no one who comes to church on
Christmas and sees Santa Kneeling there thinks it strange at all. They can see that it is the perfect place for
Santa Claus to be on Christmas.
And some people, the legend says, even
insist that the Babe in the manger is smiling back at Santa.
Talked with brother Don on phone this morning and intend to call brothers Darrell & Roger after bit.
More later, Lynn
