Santa or Jesus

She looked like an angel in her little red coat
A white scarf wrapped snugly and tied at her throat
Snowflakes sparkled in her golden hair
And in her hands she clutched a small teddy-bear
The crowds scurried past her, their thoughts on the morrow
Unaware of the girl and the hint of sorrow
That shone in her eyes as she gazed at the sled
Where-on sat a jolly old man in red

The excited laughter of the children around her
Did not lift the shadow that seemed to surround her
Yet she watched as they climbed on the old man’s knee
To tell what their wants and wishes would be
…in the distance the bells from the tall church steeple
Hailed to the streets still crowded with people
For daylight was fading, but the chill in the air
Went unnoticed by the girl with the teddy-bear

The old man didn’t see her ‘til the noisy crowds dwindled
As they rushed to the warmth of home-fires kindled
Then he beckoned to the sad-faced little girl
Who suddenly looked as if she carried the world
With all of its trouble on her wee shoulders
And he knew he simply HAD to hold her
--to ask her what caused her young heart to grieve
On this greatest of nights, this Christmas Eve

She timidly approached his gift-laden sled
“Come, don’t be afraid” the jolly man said
“It’s your turn now and I think you’ll be
The last child this year to sit on my knee
Come now and tell Santa what troubles you so
For this is the best night of the year, don’t you know?”
Then onto his lap she gratefully snuggled
To tell dear old Santa why her heart was troubled

“Well” she began “It’s like this, you see”
And she paused as she brushed some snow from his knee
Then Santa pulled a big warm blanket around them
As Christmas Eve began to surround them
“Mama says it is Jesus who is the reason
We celebrate Christmas every season
That Santa is a creature of our imagination
Who has nothing to do with this celebration”

Silently Santa watched the snowflakes swirl
As he pondered the words of this little girl
Then in a husky voice he gently said
“You have a very wise mother indeed
Jesus is the reason, don’t you ever forget it
Santa adds the magic, perhaps if you let it
And, my dear little girl, would it surprise you
To know that this Santa loves Jesus too?

For Santa would have no reason to bring
Gifts for the children if not for a King
Who was laid in a manger where wise men from afar
Gave the first Christmas gifts ‘neath Bethlehem’s star
And old Santa’s reindeer flying through the air
Could never even begin to compare
To the host of angels bent low to the earth
To tell the shepherds of Jesus birth

Cause Jesus IS the truth and Santa’s the mystery
The jolly ho ho! in this season’s history
For to Christmas truth Santa’s no stranger
All that I know I learned at the manger
Gifts remind us of hope, peace, love and joy
Such as Heaven gave earth in that baby boy
So my dear little girl, I agree with your mother
Jesus IS the reason, there is no other”

The little girl quietly pondered his words
As she ran her fingers through his frosty beard
When suddenly she clapped her little hands
“I get it” she cried, “I now understand!”
Then a little girls laughter and Santa’s ho ho
Rang our ‘cross the town all covered in snow
And they shouted with joy, “It’s ok to believe
In Jesus and Santa on Christmas Eve!”

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

A light-hearted story in defense of all the
‘daddy and grand-daddy santa’s’
who bring squeals of delight to excited children!
AND STILL LOVE JESUS!!!