A Day in the Life of Santa

Dear Diary……

We have thirteen sleeps left ‘til Christmas, time is rushing by. There is so much to do before the big day. Many presents still to be made and the elves’ workshop is working shifts 24/7 to meet the deadline.

My alarm went off at the usual time of 6:30am but with my anxiety levels rising I had been up for an hour before it. A quick bite of breakfast and cup of tea then down to the workshop to check on progress and encourage those fabulous little people in the work they are doing. Good production overnight – we should get there comfortably – maybe with a day to spare.

Then down to the stable to check on the reindeer – Donna was off his feed a bit yesterday – hopefully he’ll be feeling better today, otherwise I’ll have to get the vet to check him over and might have to call in a reserve for our deliveries – and that’s a worry because he’s such an important part of the team. A replacement might put the others out of rhythm and slow us down.

Talking to myself: “Self, calm down. You know it will be all alright. No need to get an ulcer. You can always use a little fairy dust to fix the ills”

Mrs Claus called me for morning tea – better go and keep the dear old girl happy. She’s such a gift – don’t know what I’d do without her.

Head Elf – Jerome, called on my mobile phone to say there had been a minor glitch in the doll making machine. The Elf mechanics were on the job and expect to have it fixed very soon. Hope he’s right.

Back to the office and checking my email for requests from stressed parents who are doing it tough this year. Their children will need extra sensitive choices in what I deliver to them to brighten up their Christmas day. Must see what I can do for their parents as well.

It’s always a joy to receive the letters from the younger children in all their innocence – it’s refreshing to ‘feel’ their belief in me. It’s a shame that in later life some of them will be turned away by commercialism that will dull or maybe even destroy their belief. Not that I’ll let that stop me in my efforts to bring ‘good will to all’. I don’t know where that ‘naughty and nice’ list idea came from. God and I both know that nobody is bad all the time or good all the time. I do my best to encourage everyone to be kind to one another and spread good cheer.

Commercialism again is one of our biggest challenges because it takes away the focus of the Nativity and the birth of Christ. After-all that’s what this season is all about. I am reassured by Him that my work of spreading ‘Good Will’ is not a distraction but part of His Will. I never sort to be ‘the lead attraction’. Over time people themselves have focused more and more attention on gift giving as an end in itself – they’ve missed the point. I’ve puzzled over this for many human lifetimes and I’m still stymied as to how I can change this attitude.

“Focus on the young”, that’s what I’ve been told – it’s in their formative years that change can be brought about. Just get enough people to believe in true values and kindness towards others, responsibility for themselves and their actions and co-operation and endeavour in all things that will most benefit the individuals and the societies they live in.

Not such a tall order – it’s achievable.

Must get on. I’ll chat with you again on Facebook and Twitter tomorrow.

Cheers

Santa