I remember when I was a child and Christmas time was the most magical time of year. I wholeheartedly believed that Santa was real, reindeers could fly, and that if I implored Santa and his elves, that I would get the new stuffed animal that my heart desired. I went to the mall and told Santa that I was indeed nice most of the time and hopefully that counted. I mean, even Santa was probably not nice a 100% of the time!
To believe in the realm of the improbable is acceptable in children, but seen as folly in adults.
The Christmas season has become for many, not the favourite time of year, but indeed, the most stressful. The right gifts, the right dress, the right food, too much food, too much drink -- need I say more?
When you are a child, you are not bothered by these extraneous things. You see Santa and you see magic. You believe without doubt that there is this corporeal being in a red suit, living in the North Pole, amongst the elves and the reindeers, with his only job in life to bring joy and goodwill to all, once a year. You believe that there is a master list being kept of all your transgressions to determine whether you'll be on the naughty or nice list, and that has long been a great respite for parents during the latter few weeks of the year "Don't be bad, because I'll have to tell Santa!"
So this year, I made a pilgrimage to the mall to see Santa. I wanted to see if I could recapture some of the magic of Christmas that seems to leave us as adults. The Santa at the mall where I went, has all the makings of the real Santa, a real beard, and the twinkle in his eye. We had a nice little chat -- I went during an off-peak time when there was no line-up, as I didn't want to keep any children from their idol!
I sat down beside Santa. He mentioned that it had been a long time since I had last visited him to which I obviously had to agree. Hmmm, how did he know that I didn't do this every year? Anyway, Santa did suggest that I was on his nice list, and I was going to say nothing to dissuade him of that notion! But you know as I sat there, I felt that wonderment that I had a child surface a bit. As I left, he gave me a candy cane, and a chocolate Santa, and said with a smile I don't want you to wait so long again before you come back to see me!
And I remembered the joy of Christmas that had been like a warm embrace as a child.
We all need a little magic in our lives. To believe in the spirit of the season, and not the consumerism. To remember that the greatest joy is to give to others, not just gifts but of yourself.
Life itself is magical, and we are too often wrapped up in the push and pull of competing priorities to enjoy the moment, and the magic.
Magic is not an illusion, because it is you that makes it real.
Maybe you might just want to go see Santa this year and create some magic for yourself!
