Temperature in the 50s on the first day of winter. Walking was lovely in the GC Woods with the thoughts of Christmas swirling in my head. The shortest day of the year is here and now they begin getting a bit longer each day. 

Winter brings the sleep of nature. The residents of the woods have settled in for a long Winter’s nap. But not before Santa Claus makes his prescribed journey on Christmas Eve. I know the elves must be loading his sleigh at the writing of this treatise. Santa is the hope and dreams of millions of girls, boys, moms, and dads. The world is hurting with strife and war and the visions of political calamity…then there is Santa and his mission of goodwill, hope, and peace. 

You know…there was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer who was shunned by others due to his prominent proboscis. It glowed a brilliant red… Rudolph stood out in the crowd for his brilliant nose. Some thought him afflicted…but God made him special to help Santa see through the blizzard… 

And so it goes Kurt Vonnegut told us. We all have a part to play in The Stage of Life. Tears come to my eyes when I watch the precious children in the Shriner’s commercials. Their upbeat attitude sweet smiles and melodious voices cause me to think that in the next life, they will be our leaders and not the caustic self-serving elected politicians we are afflicted with.

‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.’ Isaiah 11:6.