OK, when I was a child we lived in what I now know was poverty. However, because my then step-father was going to SMU to seminary (he never finished) we lived for a year and a half in the richest part of Dallas. It was very hard to be "the poor kid."
Well, during the second of those Decembers we got an envelope in the mail that said "To the parents of Sarah ....." return address was Santa Claus. Inside were $100 in gift certificates to the local grocery store. Our Christmas was not big, but we did have one. Because of the former step-father's poor spending habits, we would have had Christmas regardless...but then wouldn't have had money for food. Those gift certificates were perfect. A month's worth of food (give or take) that can't be spent on anything else. (This was long before you could get groceries and "stuff" like clothes and toys at the same store.)
I have a younger brother with a different last name. Why was it addressed to my parents? Who sent it? How did they know that just sending money wouldn't be as helpful as the gift certificates? Did they know? How can you accept a gift when you don't know who to tell thank you?
These questions have no answers.
But I do know this. I was 12 years old and very depressed. Ready to lose hope in everything. My Mom was in the process of kicking out the former step-father with poor spending habits. The world as I knew it was falling apart. Out of nowhere Santa sent me a gift. Not just a gift of money for food for the family, but a gift to me of hope, an example that people aren't all hateful and snide, and the assurance that I could and would make it and be able to move on to a better life. Also, the knowledge that there'd be help along the way through the Grace of God.
Christmas is about the Birth of Christ. However, Santa Claus is about spreading hope and joy to those most in need. And every December I celebrate BOTH. Yes, I DO believe in Santa Claus and I DO believe that he still lives.
He lives in our hearts every December when we make a point of spreading hope and joy to someone else.
"And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night."
8 comments:
Me too, Sarah. I've been blessed to be on both the receiving end and the giving end.
I know God is the ultimate giver, but He chooses to use people as His instruments, and some of those instruments wear red and white suits. :o)
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Love and hugs,
Diane
PS: I love your new header! :o)
Cuteness!!!
What a wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Yes, I am another one of those BELIEVERS.....first in the Lord and then He works though Santa many times in spreading love, and in your case, hope.
Susan
I remember you telling me this story right after I started my blog. It was in response to a Santa story of ours:http://scrapsbystephanie.blogspot.com/2007/08/encyclopedia-of-me-b-c-and-d.html
I believe your benefactor knew what he/she was doing and I'll bet he/she was just as blessed by the giving of something so priceless.
I love how God turns hopeless into hope filled. Whomever Santa was, they saw a need a filled it. How more Christlike can you be? To send it with your name was a gift of deep love.
Hope you spend your days hope filled now and forever!! :)
Awesome!
Now that is a wonderful Christmas memory.
i love this story, your sentiments, and the spirit of santa claus. he is such an integral part of celebrating Christ's birth.
thanks for sharing your story.
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