Believing in Santa is believing in the magic of Christmas
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Cleaning out closets will make you surprisingly aware of how fast your children grow out of everything. With this new information, I headed off for a day of closet restocking. Eva was hot on my heels. Charlotte wanted to go, but she had been sick and was unable to tag along.
A steady rain fell as we drove to town and began our shopping debut. Through the store the buggy filled with all kinds of new shoes, cute outfits, and a dollhouse for special delivery from Santa to Charlotte. I also managed several needless items I just had to have myself (wink).
Passing through town, on to the next store, I spotted the car wash sign Tidal Wave. “Perfect,” I voiced! Its name fit the forecast well. Through the puddles and across the service area comes the attendant to see to my request.
He stared blankly at me through his damp clothes and the rain. I stared back at him smiling. “I’ll take the basic wash please.” He looked around as if he was taking in the amount of rain falling and the fact that not another vehicle was insight for miles. I sat smiling in sincerity with my wet card extended. Eva sat in the seat next to me, not sure how to take the scene. “Sir. I know it is a downpour out here, but I am going to need to purchase a car wash, for the use of your vacuum cleaner. You see, the inside of my vehicle cannot be seen by another human. It must be cleaned for my own sanity. Rain notwithstanding.” I hoped that would be enough and I would not have to elaborate as to how long it logistically takes for me to get to town for a car wash on any given day.
He looked back and said, “Ma’am anyone that is bold enough to get a car wash in a downpour need not pay. Please feel free to go use the vacuum cleaner for as long as you need.” I shockingly replied, “Oh, thank you so much, Sir!” and off I drove. Eva sat there just staring at me. When we stopped, I explained to her about small acts of kindness that will utterly make our day. It’s called Christmas magic.
After half the morning of shopping, we pulled back in the driveway at the house. Eva commented, “Mom, there are a lot of bags in the back of the truck. Is Daddy going to have one of those grown-up talks with you, you know, the ones where I can’t listen?” I roared with laughter thinking of her innocence and seriousness.
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Questions have started to come forth about the realistic ability of one man making it all around the world in one night. I looked at Eva who looked back at me for answers and then I watched as Charlotte began to scoot her stool across the kitchen floor. Eva reached over to help Charlotte step up and hold fast to the counter so she could watch. They were both excited to help with the first batch of Christmas cookies. Christmas magic sprinkled the kitchen.
Charlotte has just begun to understand the fun of believing in Santa Claus, and yet Eva is slowly stepping out of the magic and questioning the possibility- with good reason.
Talking with my sister the other day, she was struggling with the same questions from her son, Ben, who is one year older than Eva. She knew there was coming a day when the bright red suit and the North Pole were going to come to an end, but she wasn’t ready when the time approached.
Not that I am trying to engrain in my kids the reality of Santa Claus, that will fade as childhood vanishes. But that’s just it. Once you grow up, there is no going back. And I wanted to hold on for as long as I can.
Looking at my girls and remembering Eva’s question I asked her, “Do you want me to tell you the truth about Santa Claus right now, or do you want to wait for a little while longer?” She smiled as if maybe comprehending what I was trying to say, “I will wait,” she said.
As I shared this with my sister the phone line went silent as she brushed away tears, knowing exactly how it felt.
“The spirit of Christmas is not in a man. It is in God’s son who came in a manager and left His spirit with us when He ascended into Heaven. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. He is the miracle our children must never lose sight of, not a man in a flying sleigh with reindeer.”
Christmas lives in the heart of every Christian and reveals itself every time an unselfish gift is given, even at a carwash in the rain; when we prefer someone else over ourselves or the true meaning of Christmas changes someone’s life forever. It’s in these moments the magic is revealed, only we don’t call it magic; we call it Christmas miracles.
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:79
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I love your stories Kristen! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you so much Ms. Leah! I am glad you enjoy them. I sure enjoy writing the stories. Please tell your husband that I use the pocket knife he gave me ALL the time. I keep it in my purse and my girls just love to say- get your pink knife out mommy, use that! Haha