bring back feelings and memories that wrap the season in a special kind of magic. There's a feeling of closeness to those who are part of our lives from day to day, and there are wonderful memories of those we see less often, but who have a special place in our thoughts and hearts... Merry Christmas to all of you. Love, Misty  The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed, But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed. "Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight. There's much work to do and my schedule is tight. I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky, Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly. I will visit each household before the first light, I'll cover the world and all in one night. With sleighbells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof, Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof. To get in the house is the difficult part, So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart. My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes, The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes. I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track. I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack. I can do all these things Lord, only through You, I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do. All this is to honor the birth of the One, That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son. So to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob, Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job." ~Warren D. Jennings~  Snowflakes softly falling Upon your window they play Your blankets snug around you, Into sleep you drift away. I bend to gently kiss you, when I see that on the floor there's a letter, neatly written I wonder who it's for. I quietly unfold it making sure you're still asleep, It's a Christmas list for Santa one my heart will always keep. It started just as always with the toys seen on TV, A new watch for your father and a winter coat for me. But as my eyes read on I could see that deep inside there were many things you wished for that your loving heart would hide. You asked if your friend Molly could have another Dad; It seems her father hits her and it makes you very sad. Then you asked dear Santa if the neighbors down the street Could find a job, that he might have some food, and clothes, and heat. You saw a family on the news whose house had blown away, "Dear Santa, send them just one thing, a place where they can stay." "And Santa, those four cookies that I left you for a treat, Could you take them to the children who have nothing else to eat." "Do you know that little bear I have the one I love so dear? I'm leaving it for you to take to Africa this year". "And as you fly your reindeer on this night of Jesus' birth, Could your magic bring to everyone goodwill and peace on earth". "There's one last thing before you go, so grateful I would be, If you'd smile at Baby Jesus in the manger by our tree." I pulled the letter close to me I felt it melt my heart. Those tiny hands had written what no other could impart. "And a little child shall lead them," was whispered in my ear As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve while Santa Claus was here. ~author unknown~  On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes, Looked deep into Santa's, to Santa's surprise, And said as he nestled on Santa's broad knee, "I want your secret, tell it to me." He leaned up & whispered in Santa's good ear, "How do you do it, year after year?" "I want to know how, as you travel about, Giving gifts here & there, you never run out. How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys, You have plenty for all of the world's girls & boys? Stays so full, never empties as you make your way From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large & small, From nation to nation, reaching them all? And Santa smiled kindly & said to the boy, "Don't ask me hard questions. Don't you want a toy?" But the child shook his head, and Santa could see That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me," He told the small boy with the light in his eyes, "My secret will make you sadder & wise. "The truth is that my sack is magic. Inside It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride. But although I do visit each girl & each boy I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy. Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad. Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad. Some homes are broken, & children there grieve. Those homes I visit, but what should I leave? "My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff, But for homes where despair lives, toys aren't enough. So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl & boy, And pray with them that they'll be given the joy Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives. If only God hears me & answers my prayer, When I visit next year, what I will find there There are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love And boys and girls gifted with light from above. It's a very hard task, my smart little brother, To give toys to some, and give prayers to others. But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed, For God has a way of meeting each need. "That's part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth, Is that my sack is magic, And that is the truth. In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day More love than a Santa could e'er give away. The sack never empties of love, or of joys 'Cause inside it are prayers, and hopes. Not just toys. The more that I give, the fuller it seems, Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams. "And do you know something? You've got a sack, too. It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you. It never gets empty, it's full from the start. It's the centre of lights, and of love. It's your heart. And if on this Christmas you want to help me, Don't be so concerned with your gifts 'neath your tree. Open that sack, called your heart, & share Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care." The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing. "Thanks for the secret. I've got to be going." "Wait, little boy," said Santa "don't go. Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?" And just for a moment the small boy stood still, Touched his heart with his small hand & whispered, "I will."
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