Visions of Sugar Plums Dance

 

 

Ah, The Santa Clause. I love that movie! Good thing, huh? It's on every night, yeah? 😂 

 

If pre-Christmas everything leaves little time for movies...

 

First and foremost, if this is you, stop. Just stop. It will all wait... right up until January 2nd, if necessary. Worst case scenario? You don't pull off the perfectly planned Pinterest... I mean... Christmas! 😉 So, what?! 😲 THERE! I said it. 😂

 

But, I digress...

 

A boy and his dad, inadvertently, startle Santa Claus on the roof. Poor Santa takes a lethal fall. A card, discovered in Santa's pocket, states the holder of said card will take possession of the position. No if's, and's or but's, an airtight clause. A magical journey ensues for Charlie and his very reluctant father... Santa!

 

Scott Calvin, eventually, came to terms with his fate. By the time his 2nd Christmas on the job rolled around, he was an awesome Santa Claus! *happy sigh* 

 

If I could choose any job, I would choose to be Santa. Wouldn't that be the best job ever? Yes, it would take a lot of hard work, but sharing all that joy with the children of the world would more than make up for it!

 

My fear of heights, however, could make flying off into the sky in an open sleigh a bit... well... terrifying! But, I would push through! I would not allow fear to keep me grounded! I'd white knuckle it all the way, but off I'd go - Oh! Ho! Ho!

 

Does Santa visit your house? Never any contemplating here! We could not wait! But, after a couple of years, at some point, the thought would come.

"There will come a day..." When that thought strikes you, don't hit the panic button! I have something to share with you. The method is tried and true.An escape clause, if you will. (Jack Frost will not be involved. 😉 )

The time is at hand. He's looking, directly, into your eyes (or sobbing muffled words into his pillow after bursting through the door after school and dashing, tears streaming, straight for his room just one day - one day - before Christmas break... 😩) and asks you the question, it will be, oh, so tempting to gloss over it or sidetrack or... Don't. You knew the day would come. It's here.

 

Your child has opened up to you questioning a lifelong deception come to light. Oh, sure. We can mutter under our breath something to the effect of "How dare they?!" Or... "I know it was that little So-and-So!" 

But, in the heart of our Christmas hearts, we know that isn't what's really bothering us, is it? I can ask because I've been there. Twice before... and two more to come. *heartfelt sigh*  

Our child stands before us and needs to know the truth. Questioning a lifelong deception... Now, is when we must face fact. It's a deception that began, directly, with us. How can we admit that? We have, intentionally, lied to our children. Oh, the magnitude of it all! How do we rectify that?

In the heart of your Christmas heart, you know the answer. There is only one way.

Tell the truth. 

I hope it's not as devastating as you've imagined. But whether the reaction is a resigned, "I knew it." Or more tortured sobbing into her pillow... We can't just leave them like that!

Now, would be the time to wrap him in your arms and whisper, "You know... When you discover the truth about Santa Claus, you can be Santa Claus." Let that bit of information sink in for a minute. Did some sparkle return to those beautiful eyes? I hope so!

I will imagine the sparkle spreads to yours, as well, while you plan how you will help Santa spread some Christmas joy to children (All People!) in need.

"Great plan!" you think to yourself, "But, what if the question comes while putting out the milk and cookies on Christmas Eve?" 😩

I, certainly, wouldn't blame you if you kept the dream alive, while promising yourself you will have the talk before New Year's.

But... What if you were at the ready and pulled out a beautifully wrapped package or two?

Imagine you and your child slipping out into the Christmas Eve night to make this very special delivery. No matter the content! It can contain whatever your child can imagine. No matter the destination! It can be left anywhere! Around the corner or clear across town! 

This gift is not for the one who receives it. This is a gift for you and your child. Whether it's in the days and weeks ahead or the eve of the celebration of God proving His great love for us by sending His one and only Son into the world that very first Christmas, your child will learn that the joy that comes at Christmastime has nothing to do with whether or not Santa is flesh and blood.

The joy of giving and expecting nothing in return... Now, that is a feeling we all need to experience. Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! Let love abound!

And, perhaps, this Christmas Eve, her dreams of sugar plums dancing will be for someone else. Someone he does not even know. After the angst our betrayal caused, that thought is a balm to the soul, isn't it?

The spirit of Christmas lives on.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
C

The Santa Clause Image belongs to Disney Pixar
Panic Button & Gift Courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net 
Thank you!