Santa's Wish Tree

Thank you

2008-09-02T22:41:00.002-02:00

Ho Ho Ho

It looks like I'm wasting my time here. I'll do it alone. Thankyou for those of you who do care.

Santa ô¿ô

2008 Program Starts Today

2007-12-31T06:44:00.000-02:00

Ho Ho Ho Everyone

I know it might seem early to start planning for next Christmas but when you're Santa every day makes a difference.

This year was a bit disappointing but then again there wasn't a lot of time to achieve much. I do thank those of you who did make a difference this year. We were able to help several children have a Christmas. Instead of being on the streets or somewhere else where they are in danger, we were able to feed them and give them a gift. If you could have seen their eyes you would know why I bother to try my hardest to do this. The eyes of a child always tell the story.

I know many of you might think that I am trying to achieve the unachievable but if I felt that way I wouldn't bother. We don't have to give a lot. A little from a lot of people will achieve the same goal. that's all I ask. Please help this year. It's what Santa wants for Christmas!!

The only fees are the minimal fees from Paypal to process payments. Every Cent apart from that goes to the Children. Please help.

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

Thank you

2007-12-27T22:00:00.000-02:00

Ho Ho Ho Everyone

I would like to thank those who generously gave over the past few months in order to make a difference in the lives of some children who aren't as fortunate as the rest of us.

We did make a difference. It wasn't as much as I would have hoped for but we did help a few children. If you could have seen the looks in their eyes you would know why it matters so much to me. It's amazing the difference a small amount makes.

I intend to push even harder this year and I have a whole year to do what I would like to achieve. I trust that some of you will help in this goal so that a real difference can be achieved in the lives of many

Once again... thank you so much to those who gave. I will never forget what you have done. Thank you

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

A Message from Santa Claus

2007-12-20T22:18:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone

I want to apologize to everyone for not being online much lately. It is an important time of the year when Santa should be here and I am very aware of that.

Unfortunately, there is a person here in BlogWorld who seems intent on making sure that I am not part of the Christmas Season here at MBL this year.

Every time I log on, or check an email or anything I am immediately targeted and then have to go about fixing my computer yet again. Si far to date I have had to reformat my hard drive 5 times and then reload and configure all of the software. Each time seems to be different and it sometimes takes me days to get back online.

Just a word to the person doing it... I know who you are and so far have resisted the urge to publicly discredit you. It is not my nature to be negative or revengeful but it is nearly at the time when I will be forced to name you in the hope that that will stop you from this continual harassment that you seem intent on.

All I want to do is bring cheer and happiness and peace and joy and love to all of you at this special time and it hurts me more than I can say that I have been continually stopped from doing so.

I intend to stay online as much as possible but if I disappear once more unexpectedly you will know why and I do apologize for it. It's my job as Santa to bring the Christmas cheer to all of you and it hurts me to be unable to do that properly.

May Christmas be that special time that you expect and may all of your wishes come true. Please remember though the true meaning of Christmas this and every year is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ child. That is what Christmas really IS all about.

Merry Christmas to all of you and thank you for your support and loyalty over the past few months. It has been a wonderful experience.

as always,

Santa ô¿ô

39 Days to Christmas

2007-11-15T23:56:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone.

Christmas is the time of the year when we think about others.

With Christmas comes the special traditions and feelings that we all experience that are synonymous with the Festive Season... the giving of gifts, the parties, the decorations everywhere we look, time with friends, The joy of sharing a bountiful meal with those we love and care about, the giving and receiving of gifts. What a wonderful time of the year!!

However there is another side to this festivity and the happy times and days that go with it.

I know we don't want to think about sad and negative things at this time of the year. goodness knows... that image does not fit in the picture.

But, there are many who do not even know about the joys of Christmas. Many feel that those who are so in need are simply getting back what they deserve. why should I help? They should get off their butt and do something to help themselves.

Interestingly I have a poll at the top of this blog that asks if we should help needy children. To date 82 or 98% say yes. The other 1 said who cares but I think we get the idea of how people think. The thing that is always confusing though is that knowing and doing never seem to end up on the same spot.

Perhaps this year???

After all there are still 39 days.

I live in hope.

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

60 Days Left to Make a Difference

2007-10-26T01:58:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone.

Sadly another 10 days have passed and we now have only 60 more days to Christmas.

Sadly, this blog is ignored or if anyone does happen to look in to see what else Santa has they leave very quickly.

I can only say that I can't help but be saddened that only a few people have thought it worth the effort to make a small difference to a child's life this Christmas. Unfortunately by ignoring this growing problem, it doesn't go away. More and more children every year face a Christmas that has No hope.

In my travels I see these children every day. I see the hurt and pain on their faces. I see their trembling hands. I see the fear of the unknown. It hurts me to see such innocent children through no fault of their own living the way they do. They deserve more.

I want to thank the few who have helped so far. You know who you are and so do I and I am very thankful to each of you. Rest assured that even if nothing else happens here then I will still do my best to help as many children as I can personally to have a small amount of happiness on the most special day of the year. It is worth it to see the small twinkle in their sad little eyes and to know that I have made a difference.

We still have 60 days. Will you help? There is still time.

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail, Santa’s Elf Club, Santa’s Wish Tree, Every Day should be Christmas, Write to Santa, Santa's Link Love, Santa Certified Blogs as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog.

Only 70 Days to Go to Christmas

2007-10-15T09:05:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone.

We have now reached 70 days to go to Christmas. How quickly the days go.

I know that we all care about the needs of children who because of circumstances will not have a Christmas this year. Maybe they didn't have one last year either. Maybe never. Imagine the memories they will never have. Imagine the love and happiness that will never be given to them by anyone because to many they just do not exist. Is it out of sight... out of mind? We can ignore the problem because we don't have to see their tiny faces on the morning of Christmas Day when the rest of the world has something to celebrate and all they have is the need for their next meal.

With only 70 days till Christmas we are running out of time to do something for some children this year. Is it much to ask that we give as little as $25 to give a child a Christmas meal and a present? Is it too much to ask to put a smile on their faces and some food in their tiny bellies? Is is too much??

It is at the stage that I never wanted to reach. The time where I have to ask. Hopefully, I don't get to pleading.

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail , Santa’s Elf Club , Santa’s Wish Tree , Every Day should be Christmas , Write to Santa , Santa's Link Love , Santa Certified Blogs as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog .

The Little Match Seller.... Christmas Story

2007-10-08T00:20:00.000-02:00

The Little Match Seller

Hans Christian Andersen

It was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, roamed through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor little creature had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate. One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it, saying that he could use it as a cradle, when he had children of his own. So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bundle of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had anyone given her even a penny. Shivering with cold and hunger, she crept along; poor little child, she looked the picture of misery. The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not.

Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savoury smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve—yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags. Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold. Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—“scratch!” how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. How the fire burned! and seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when, lo! the flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she had only the remains of the half-burnt match in her hand.

She rubbed another match on the wall. It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room. The table was covered with a snowy white table-cloth, on which stood a splendid dinner service, and a steaming roast goose, stuffed with apples and dried plums. And what was still more wonderful, the goose jumped down from the dish and waddled across the floor, with a knife and fork in its breast, to the little girl. Then the match went out, and there remained nothing but the thick, damp, cold wall before her.

She lighted another match, and then she found herself sitting under a beautiful Christmas-tree. It was larger and more beautifully decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of tapers were burning upon the green branches, and coloured pictures, like those she had seen in the show-windows, looked down upon it all. The little one stretched out her hand towards them, and the match went out.

The Christmas lights rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky. Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire. “Someone is dying,” thought the little girl, for her old grandmother, the only one who had ever loved her, and who was now dead, had told her that when a star falls, a soul was going up to God.

She again rubbed a match on the wall, and the light shone round her; in the brightness stood her old grandmother, clear and shining, yet mild and loving in her appearance. “Grandmother,” cried the little one, “O take me with you; I know you will go away when the match burns out; you will vanish like the warm stove, the roast goose, and the large, glorious Christmas-tree.” And she made haste to light the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother there. And the matches glowed with a light that was brighter than the noon-day, and her grandmother had never appeared so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl in her arms, and they both flew upwards in brightness and joy far above the earth, where there was neither cold nor hunger nor pain, for they were with God.

In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall; she had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year; and the New-year's sun rose and shone upon a little corpse! The child still sat, in the stiffness of death, holding the matches in her hand, one bundle of which was burnt. “She tried to warm herself,” said some. No one imagined what beautiful things she had seen, nor into what glory she had entered with her grandmother, on New-year's day.

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail , Santa’s Elf Club , Santa’s Wish Tree , Every Day should be Christmas , Write to Santa , Santa's Link Love , Santa Certified Blogs as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog .

Those who Bless the poor will themselves find Blessing

2007-09-25T00:31:00.001-02:00

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE STORY OF JOEL

The kids on the bus asked, "You coming to the game tonight?"

"I can't. My grandmother's coming over.”

There was no visit from grandmother, of course, just another of Joel's well-devised covers for the truth. Joel never went anywhere but straight to the house.

Blake House had been Joel's and his mother's home for the last four months. The place wasn't bad; there simply wasn't any privacy. Sharing a room with his mother was easier since she started going to night school. Many nights, Joel was already in pajamas and ready for sleep by the time she returned.

For Joel's mom, the Blake House was nothing short of a miracle. She knew it was hard on a boy of Joel's age but it was a comfort to know that he realized it was necessary. One more day with her husband may have been the end of her or her son, and Joel knew it too. In a way, it was his growing intervention in the assaults that convinced her they had to leave.

For Joel, things had a calm predictability but the days went by slowly. His mom was tormented by uncertainty. With the help of the Blake House staff she had found a part-time job and a grant for vocational training. In spite of this support, it was hard to imagine a time when she might stand on her own.

As Christmas approached, she started preparing Joel for the reality of the upcoming holiday. She'd say they would have a nice dinner with their Blake House friends and later walk a few blocks to take in the downtown view. She would explain that, with luck, they could be in their own home by March and they would have a private Christmas and presents then.

"I don't need Christmas and I don't need presents," Joel grumbled.

"Scrooge!" she quipped back.

She was proud of his effort to deal with his envy of other children's holiday excitement. He was so serious, though. She wished there was something she could do to give him a lighter heart and a happier Christmas.

On the Saturday before Christmas the families and staff were enjoying their holiday supper when Joan, the House counselor, called Joel's mom into her office.

"Do you have any plans tonight?" Joan asked.

"Joel and I are going to walk to the overpass to look at the downtown lights and decorations."
Joan pointed out the front window, "Maybe you'd prefer to ride instead of walk." Curbside sat a polished Town Car.

"I don't understand," was all Joel's mom could get out before Joan continued.

"An anonymous friend has made arrangements for you and Joel to have use of this car for the next five hours … which will come in handy since the performance is across town. If you leave now, you'll have time to get in some shopping before the show. What d'ya say? I thought so!" Joan smiled and led her out of the office to get Joel.

"Ma'am," said the driver opening the door as the two approached the car.

"What's up with this, mom?" blurted Joel as the door shut.

"We're going to the show," she said bewildered, holding up her hands. As the driver settled back into the Lincoln, he turned and smiled, saying, "I'll be taking you to the mall before the show. And I was asked to give you this." The driver handed her an envelope before he turned to set off.

"Please forgive this intrusion into your privacy," the note began. "I hope you accept this invitation to a Christmas celebration. Enclosed you will find two tickets to tonight's performance of 'A Christmas Carol' and a small token of appreciation for your loving care of Joel." The tickets and a $100 gift certificate slipped into her hand.
The note continued, "Christmas is a time of hope and gratitude. In hopes of a prosperous New Year for you, and in gratitude to loving mothers like you, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Remember, you are never alone in this world because where love lives, friends always follow, seen or unseen. Sincerely, The Spirit of St. Nicholas. "

"What's wrong, mom?"

"Nothing, honey," she whispered through tears, hugging her son. "Let’s go Christmas shopping, my little Scrooge!"

The mother and son felt special that magical night and for many days and nights that followed. The excitement of the performance and the touching story of the play stayed with Joel and his mother for a long time.

It took longer than planned for them to get their own home, but by the following summer they began what was to be many years of stable and prosperous living. Forevermore, Christmas became their favorite time of year.

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail, Santa’s Elf Club, Santa’s Wish Tree, Every Day should be Christmas, Santa’s Wish List as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog.

93 days to Go!!

2007-09-23T04:12:00.000-02:00

Yes, I know what we are trying to achieve here isn't as drastic as this picture but I suppose I am trying desperately to get some reaction because nothing seems to be happening here.

When I started this blog there were over 140 days to go to Christmas and now we are down to 93. How quickly the days go.

There is still plenty of time to achieve the goal but every single day makes it more and more unlikely but I won't be giving up. I won't stop believing that this can happen.

Please help. It is such a small thing to do to make such a huge difference.

Christmas is for Caring

2007-09-16T02:47:00.000-02:00

Carol of the Poor Children

2007-09-10T23:16:00.000-02:00

We are the poor children, come out to see the sights On this day of all days, on this night of nights, The stars in merry parties are dancing in the sky, A fine star, a new star, is shining on high!

We are the poor children, our lips are frosty blue, We cannot sing our carol as well as rich folk do, Our bellies are so empty we have no singing voice, But this night of all nights good children must rejoice.

We do rejoice, we do rejoice, as hard as we can try, A fine star, a new star is shining in the sky! And while we sing our carol, we think of the delight The happy kings and shepherds make in Bethlehem to-night.

Are we naked, mother, and are we starving poor--Oh, see what gifts the kings have brought outside the stable door, Are we cold, mother, the ass will give his hay To make the manger warm and keep the cruel winds away.

We are the poor children, but not so poor who sing Our carol with our voiceless hearts to greet the newborn king, On this night of all nights, when in the frosty sky A new star, a kind star, is shining on high!

--RICHARD MIDDLETON

Santa Recommends:
A Nice Place in the Sun, A Week In The Life of A Redhead, Blog Elf, Bobbarama, Bobbarama Humor Carnival, Bobbarama StumbleUpon, Book Project, Christmas Wish List, Christy’s Coffee Break, Climate of our Future, Emila’s Illustrated Blog, Everyday Should Be Christmas, Feel Happy, First Time Dad, FuelMyBlog, Hearts a Fire, Homeless Family’s Blog, Homeless In Jax, Home with Heather, Laketrees, Laketrees1, Life with Heathens, Lynda’s Loft, Mariuca, Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery, My Life is Murphy’s Law, Polliwog’s Pond, Polliwog’s StumbleUpon, Purplefrogcat, Revellian, Santa’s Community, Santa Elf’s Club, Santa Mail, Santa Wish Tree, The Blog Fairy, The Insane Writer, This is a Miracle, Writer’s Reviews, Twist and Skewer, Your Wisdom of Total Happiness, Zubli Zainordin.

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail, Santa’s Elf Club, Santa’s Wish Tree, Every Day should be Christmas, Santa’s Wish List as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog.

A Home....

2007-09-05T21:06:00.000-02:00

Familar Faces

2007-09-05T02:17:00.001-02:00

The Gift of Receiving

2007-09-05T01:34:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone.

Time is slowly ticking by and will not stop. As it gets closer to Christmas the opportunity to make a difference is quickly passing us by.

One of the things that always interests me about Christmas is gift giving.

Of course, you say!! You're Santa!! You know all about that!!

Yes, that is true but the thing that interests me is not the gift but rather the giver and the receiver.

Invariably those who are most well off receive the most either as most valuable or in quantity. Those who are poor receive things that others may be insulted by or even refuse. The castoffs of merchandise go to the castoffs of society. I could say that like attracts like but this is hardly true.

Those with the least need receive the most whilst those with the most need receive the least. Some may say that this is just the reality of life and that the poor should get off their backsides and do something to change their situation. Easily said by those who have never experienced homelessness or living in abject poverty. Easily ignored by those who have a clean crisp bed to sleep in every night. Easily forgotten by those who do not have to scrounge for scraps and the few morsels of food that they actually do get to consume maybe every other day.

Are we so blind that we can ignore the plight of those in need?

I know. As Christmas gets closer we'll do something. We'll do it tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. Ever!!

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

Santa Recommends:
A Nice Place in the Sun, A Week In The Life of A Redhead, All Free Stuff Blog, Blog Elf, Bobbarama, Bobbarama Humor Carnival, Bobbarama StumbleUpon, Book Project, Christmas Wish List, Christy’s Coffee Break, Climate of our Future, Dog Cents, Emila’s Illustrated Blog, Everyday Should Be Christmas, Feel Happy, First Time Dad, FuelMyBlog, Hearts a Fire, Homeless Family’s Blog, Homeless In Jax, Home with Heather, Laketrees, Laketrees1, Life with Heathens, Lilyruth’s This and That Cottage, Lynda’s Loft, Mariuca, Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery, My Life is Murphy’s Law, Polliwog’s Pond, Polliwog’s StumbleUpon, Purplefrogcat, Revellian, Santa’s Community, Santa Elf’s Club, Santa Mail, Santa Wish Tree, The Blog Fairy, The Insane Writer, This is a Miracle, Writer’s Reviews, Twist and Skewer, Your Wisdom of Total Happiness, Zubli Zainordin.

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail, Santa’s Elf Club, Santa’s Wish Tree, Every Day should be Christmas, Santa’s Wish List as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog.

The Magic of Giving

2007-08-31T08:08:00.000-02:00

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail, Santa’s Elf Club, Santa’s Wish Tree, Every Day should be Christmas, Santa’s Wish List as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog.

Tomorrow Sometimes Never Comes

2007-08-30T08:17:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone

When I first started this blog there were 140 days to Christmas. There are now 117 and the counter will not stop turning the days over like a metronome ticking along to the musical beat.

We here at the North Pole are all working in a frenzy because we know how quickly the last few days, weeks and months dissolve into the mists of time. Every year we say to ourselves.. where did that year go?

As we now reach September, in the blink of an eye it will be November and Christmas will be staring us in the face.

As it gets closer and closer to Christmas day we start saying to ourselves that we must go and start buying those gifts for loved ones. We must go and plan the festive season. We must start doing this... we must start doing that and so on. Before we know it we are caught up in the massive hustle and bustle of the crowds surging to do that last minute shop on Christmas Eve because we never quite got around to it. Does this sound familiar?

My point is... since I started on my quest to give some needy children a Christmas that will lift their spirits and possibly put a huge plaster on their battered and bruised self esteem and egos, 3 weeks have passed. 23 days that have slipped by so silently and sneakily that no one even noticed them going. There are just over 16 weeks to go till the big day. Will we notice them going past too or will we suddenly gasp and say... where did that time go?

I'll do it tomorrow is always said with the very best of intentions..... but sometimes tomorrow never comes.

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

Santa Recommends:
A Nice Place in the Sun, A Week In The Life of A Redhead, All Free Stuff Blog, Bobbarama, Bobbarama Humor Carnival, Bobbarama StumbleUpon, Book Project, Christmas Wish List, Christy’s Coffee Break, Climate of our Future, Dog Cents, Emila’s Illustrated Blog, Everyday Should Be Christmas, Feel Happy, First Time Dad, FuelMyBlog, Hearts a Fire, Homeless Family’s Blog, Homeless In Jax, Home with Heather, Laketrees, Laketrees1, Life with Heathens, Lilyruth’s This and That Cottage, Lynda’s Loft, Mariuca, Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery, My Life is Murphy’s Law, Polliwog’s Pond, Polliwog’s StumbleUpon, Purplefrogcat, Revellian, Santa’s Community, Santa Elf’s Club, Santa Mail, Santa Wish Tree, The Blog Fairy, The Insane Writer, This is a Miracle, Writer’s Reviews, Twist and Skewer, Your Wisdom of Total Happiness, Zubli Zainordin.

Santa Claus at MyBlogLog authors Santa-Mail, Santa’s Elf Club, Santa’s Wish Tree, Every Day should be Christmas, Santa’s Wish List as well as co-authors Santa’s Community Blog.

If you would like to be added to this list please let me know. Santa ô¿ô

Santa's Secret Wish

2007-08-24T08:25:00.000-02:00

Santa met a young boy with light in his eyes
He looked deep into Santa's, and to Santa's surprise
Said as he sat on Santa's broad knee,
"I want your secret. Please tell it to me."

He leaned up and 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 and there, you never run out.

How is it Dear Santa, that in your sack full of toys...
You always have plenty for the world's girls and boys?
It stays so full, never empties, as you make your way
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"

And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
"Don't ask me hard questions. Do 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 that small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder and wise.

"The truth is my sack is magic inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.
But although I do visit each girl and 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, and the 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 and boy,
And I 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 and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find 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 to 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 hope. Not just toys
The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling all 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 center of lights, and love. It's your heart

And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don't be so concerned with the gifts 'neath your tree.
Open that sack called your heart and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."

The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for your 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 and whispered, "I will."

As always,

Santa ô¿ô

Santa Recommends:
A Week In The Life of A Redhead, All Free Stuff Blog, Bobbarama, Bobbarama Humor Carnival, Bobbarama StumbleUpon, Book Project, Christmas Wish List, Christy’s Coffee Break, Climate of our Future, Dog Cents, Emila’s Illustrated Blog, Everyday Should Be Christmas, Feel Happy, First Time Dad, FuelMyBlog, Homeless Family’s Blog, Homeless In Jax, Home with Heather, Laketrees, Laketrees1, Life with Heathens, Lynda’s Loft, Mariuca, Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery, My Life is Murphy’s Law, Polliwog’s Pond, Polliwog’s StumbleUpon, Purplefrogcat, Revellian, Santa’s Community, Santa Elf’s Club, Santa Mail, Santa Wish Tree, This is a Miracle, Writer’s Reviews, Your Wisdom of Total Happiness, Zubli Zainordin.

If you would like to be added to this list please let me know. Santa ô¿ô

The Children that will never be:

2007-08-17T03:11:00.001-02:00

~They look so young, so innocent as they lie sleeping
Held so tightly together, with their faces finally erased of worry
Almost snug looking, half buried in rags on their concrete bed
But this peacefulness will end all too soon
For when sleep wears from their eyes it will reveal pain and despair
Their loneliness only quenched by the embrace they find in each other~

The counter is ticking!!

2007-08-16T00:16:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone.

Well... as I sat here this morning eating my cookies and sipping my warm milk it suddenly occurred to me that Santa is supposed to lead by example. So, that is what I have done today. I put my money where my mouth is!

In the right column at the bottom you can watch the tally grow.

At the end of the day I need to be able to lay my head down and know that I have made a difference. The children need us.

As always,

Santa

How do you eat an Elephant?

2007-08-15T10:55:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone.

Today's question is.... How do you eat an elephant? I would doubt very much that very many people have ever done this if at all anyone. However the answer is.... One bite at a time!!

I could also ask.. how do you save 4000 children from hunger and thirst and chronic poverty? The answer again is... One child at a time!!

Christmas is a time of giving but why should this attitude be restricted to just a short time of the year? As Christmas approaches we should remind ourselves of the joyful look in a child's face as they experience the magic of Christmas. We need to burn that image in our brain and feel the joy and happiness and the excitement felt from the joy of giving and the anticipation of receiving.

The laws of nature dictate that for everything that happens there is an equivalent opposite. So... whilst we focus on the joys and happiness of giving we should also focus on the plight of despair and hunger and fear that permeates through the poor and destitute children of the world. We need to imagine their scrawny fingers reaching out to clutch a dry and crumbling piece of bread. We need to focus on the desperation for a plentiful supply of clean water whilst they suck any moisture from even the most putrid cesspool that they have available. We need to look in their eyes and see the pain and desperation that is laced with fear.

If we do that then maybe we can really see the true meaning of Christmas. To give is to receive!! The more we give the more abundant our reward.

I have decided that perhaps the target that I had posted was something that seemed insurmountable. So for that reason I would like us all to dig into our hearts to save just one child. When one is given a Christmas that perhaps may change their lives we will then try to make it two and so on.

The target is $20 a child. That will give them a Christmas gift and a decent meal and perhaps a glimmer of hope for the future. It isn't much but it's a start.

As each target is met for a child I will post a gift box in the column. Let's see how many we can get. Surely this isn't asking a lot. It is after all a living breathing child that we can help. One at a time!! Who will be first? Action is needed.... Now!!

As always, Santa

http://santaselfclub.blogspot.com/

PS You may place the donation logo on your site for every child you help.

The days are passing.

2007-08-13T09:24:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone.

It's amazing how quickly the days steal by without us really noticing. As day turns to night and night to day and as the weeks tick by, time appears to pass slowly but before we know it Time is Up!!

We now have only 134 days to go to Christmas. How quickly the clock ticks by like a thief in the night stealing the days so quickly without us really even noticing.

Is the spirit of Christmas only reserved for the festive season? Do we only give when giving is expected? It's a question that each of us can only answer in our own hearts.

What will our answer be?

As always,

Santa

Is Santa Kidding Himself?

2007-08-08T21:46:00.000-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone,

Am I kidding myself that I can make a difference? Possibly. However I will never admit that to myself. Santa is all about giving.

Who are America's Poor Children?
From the National Center for Children in Poverty

Nearly 13 million American children live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level, which is $20,000 a year for a family of four. The number of children living in poverty increased by more than 11 percent between 2000 and 2005. There are 1.3 million more children living in poverty today than in 2000, despite indications of economic recovery and growth.

Research consistently shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice the federal poverty level to make ends meet. Children living in families with incomes below this level—for 2006, $40,000 for a family of four—are referred to as low income. Thirty-nine percent of the nation’s children—more than 28 million in 2005—live in low-income families. In addition, eligibility for many public benefits is based on the official poverty measure.

How many children in America are officially poor?

Rates of official child poverty vary tremendously across the states.* Nationwide, 18% of children live in families that are officially considered poor (13 million children).

What are some of the characteristics of officially poor children in America?

Poverty is especially prevalent among black, Latino, and American Indian children. 35% of black children live in poor families. In the 10 most populated states, rates of child poverty among black children range from 20% in New Jersey to 43% in Ohio. 28% of Latino children live in poor families. In the 10 most populated states, rates of child poverty among Latino children range from 20% in New Jersey, Florida, and Illinois to 35% in Texas.* 29% of American Indian and 11% of Asian children live in poor families (comparable state comparisons are not possible due to small sample sizes).* 10% of white children live in poor families. In the 10 most populated states, rates of child poverty among white children range from 4% in New Jersey to 12% in Georgia.Having immigrant parents increases a child’s chances of being poor.* 26% of children of immigrants are poor; 16% of children of native-born parents are poor. (Children living with one immigrant parent and one native-born parent are not included.)* In the six states with the largest populations of immigrants—California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Texas—the poverty rate among children of immigrant parents ranges from 14% to 40%.* In all six states, children living with immigrant parents are more likely to be poor than children of native-born parents. Official poverty rates are highest for young children.* 20% of children under age 6—1 in 5—live in poor families; 16% of children age 6 or older live in poor families.* In half the states, more than 20% of children under age 6 are growing up in poverty, whereas only 13 states have a child poverty rate (that is, for children up to age 18) that is as high.

These figures are reproduced (with permission) and are only used to highlight the fact that even in an affluent society the poor live among us. It is not intention to belittle any authorities in any way or to pass judgement. The poor are among us and that is a fact no matter what country we live in. It is a worldwide epidemic that must be stopped.

How can we ignore the plight of these children? I know I can't.

As always,

Santa

The World is Full of Needy Children

2007-08-07T00:48:00.001-02:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! Everybody. Please allow Santa to talk to you seriously for one minute.

There is something important that needs to be said.

Today there are 140 days to go until Christmas Day arrives once again. Every year Santa distresses about the thousands of Children that he cannot reach. The millions of hungry mouths begging for a scrap of anything that might give them some nourishment. Yearning eyes and distended bellies that cry out in hunger and pain let alone even thinking for one second about what Santa may bring them for Christmas this year.

In cities all around the world, children in affluent societies live on streets or at best in impoverished homes where a succulent Christmas dinner may consist of bread and water or something just as nourishing.

Do we see anything wrong with this picture?

We can't change the world in 5 minutes but each of us collectively can make a difference. We can't save every child but we can save some. We can't turn every yearning eye to one of joy. We can't ensure that every child gets something from Santa no matter how small but we can change lives. We can't feed the millions but we can sustain a few.

What is Santa trying to say?

Quite simply, we can make a difference. we don't have to change the world when we can change our own back yard and that's what I intend to do. Obviously I need your help.

This year Santa wants to give hope to 4000 children. That's 4000 bellies that we can feed. 4000 smiles that will light up rooms everywhere. 8000 eyes that will shine. We can make a difference..... together.

Santa is asking for your donations no matter how small or how large. We have 140 days to make it happen. More than enough time.

Santa doesn't often ask for help but I can't do it alone. Please help!

As always,

Santa