One week away. We watch and wait. Some old, some young wait for the promise. Christmas is a much-loved holiday. The pervasive joy of the season permeates all society. For many years, MJ and I attended more than one Christmas Party. Jo Ann and Peter had a lovely, large Christmas Tree. Jo Ann liked Christmas Mice Ornaments. One holiday season, we searched high and low for the elusive yuletide mouse. Then we returned later in the week, just before Christmas, for a gift exchange. A fun holiday event with Maker’s Mark and Diet Coke, and Dirty Martinis.

Stumble, we move toward home. Advice on reaching our goal is as varied as snowflakes. No two opinions are alike. Some believe that many are called, but few are chosen. They take ecclesiastical pride; they are the chosen. Others cry out Lord, show me the way.

‘This will be a great Christmas,’ Chet said with a holiday grin. ‘The Christmas Movie at the Orpheum Theatre was Miracle on Thirty Fourth Street,’ Chet continued. ‘I swear if I did not believe in Santa Claus before, I do now,’ Chet laughed. ‘Santa came to our house earlier in December and sat on our sofa,’ Chet noted with satisfaction. ‘He called me Chet and knew Dad’s name was Carol, and when he said it, he began singing a Christmas Carol,’ Chet winked. ‘As he sang, his head elf Charles joined in on harmony,’ Chet noted. ‘Santa told me to watch for him on Christmas Eve,’ Chet said.

‘This year will be different,’ Santa told the elves as they began loading the sleigh. ‘Life’s Path has been especially rocky and rough for many,’ Santa continued. ‘Children are shut away from their friends and neighbors in fear and dread of meeting new and different people,’ Santa noted. ‘The kids spend hours looking at their screens and engaging in Social Media, believing much of what they see and read,’ Santa warned. ‘Kids are forgetting how to be kids and grow up as worried neurotic young people,’ Santa said with a tear in his eye. ‘This Christmas Eve, we will leave bicycles and camping equipment, compasses and binoculars for the housebound kids,’ Santa laughed so hard his belly shook. ‘Warm coats and leather outback hats, mittens and heavy socks for the joys of winter and building a snowman,’ Santa cackled. ‘Invitations shall be sent to every girl and every boy for dinner with Mom and Dad every evening if they want to enjoy Christmas next year,’ Santa danced on one foot and then the other. ‘Civics will be emphasised and public service,’ Santa noted. ‘It will be Santa’s Assignment for all kids to make a new friend that is different from them each week of the New Year,’ Santa smoked his pipe, and the smoke encircled his head.

‘We will learn the meaning of one for all and all for one,’ Neva J proclaimed. ‘No longer will the lame sit at the side of the road waiting for help, now they shall be our friend and valued for their humanity,’ Neva J said. ‘We will form a Christmas Carolers group and bring the joy of the Holidays to many homes,’ Neva J laughed. ‘We shall turn the anger of small men off and love each other as the Babe in the Manger loved us,’ Neva J said with gusto.