Ho! Ho! Ho!
Two and half years ago, we moved from Portland to Chicago. We like our sub division and enjoy the close-knit community. It’s a wonderful place to live. We’re grateful for new friends and for opportunities to share the love of Christ.
Every Christmas, there is a huge party for the children in the upper floor of the barn. It is jammed with families, grandparents and friends. Refreshments are plentiful. The Swing Choir from the local high school performs. The children are dressed up for Santa.
That’s where I come in.
A few weeks ago, I was asked by the party coordinator to play Santa. It sounded fun and brought back a lot of fond memories. My Grand pop was a professional Santa Claus at John Wanamaker’s department store in Philadelphia back in the early 70’s. I remember sitting on his lap and whispering in his ear, “I know it’s you, Grand pop.”
I guess it runs in our family.
On Saturday morning, “Mrs. Claus” helped me get ready with the suit that was provided. She drove me up to the barn in our red Escape. The parking lot was packed. I waited in the car for my cue. The Swing Choir finished. Then…
…it was time!
The Emcee stood at the door of the barn and shouted, “Look who’s here!” I rang my sleigh bells and burst on the scene with all the magic and wonder of Santa. Shouting “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and “Merry Christmas!” I was really hamming this up. This was FUN!
The Emcee led Santa to his chair. Then one by one, the children came forward to receive their presents and have a picture with Santa. The look in their eyes was priceless.
No one knew it was me, except the people on the Council. It was the perfect disguise. Grand pop would have smiled.
On the way home from the barn, we stopped at a few houses to bring some Christmas cheer to the other boys and girls who could not attend the party.
As I reflected on the experience, I realized how good it felt to give back to the community that has come to mean so much to us. I’m already looking forward to next year and the relationships that will be built between now and then.
I want to make a difference for Christ in my community and I’m grateful for this opportunity to contribute. It should make for some interesting conversations in the coming months.
How about you? If you’d like to share ways you or your church made a difference in your community at Christmas time, please click the Comment button below, and tell us your story.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Sounds like great fun, John. I always did the Santa thing for my kids when they were little. It let them figure out the game in their own time. Anyway, in addition to the kids play and the ususal carols, I think the highlight for us this year was our Christmas party/service at the refugee transition house we are sponsoring that provides a safe landing for free case refugees from Iraq, Nepal, Burma, Central African Republic, or wherever. Their stories are quite moving. It was remarkable to have a refugee family sing a Burmese worship song, and a young woman from Africa that has lost her whole family share a carol in French. Here is a link of pictures taken. The diversity was especially rich. http://picasaweb.google.com/newlifeonline/NewLifeChristmasParty2008?feat=embedwebsite#
if this does not work, go to newlifesanjose.org and look up the Dec 17, Christmas Party.