Love-Mischief Season
Early in November, “J” asked me (more like “voluntold”) to be Santa Claus for a library program close to Christmas. I hoping it was because I have white fascial hair rather than my physique. Regardless, I changed my shaving regime and let my goatee grow into a full beard. As my appearance grew closer, I remembered past “Santa appearances” I have made.
The first occurred on a very hot July day in 1991. I donned the costume of the jolly old elf, including a fake beard, to make Christmas happen for a little boy whose dad missed Christmas while in Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Boy, it was hot, and Santa needed hydration after that episode. But it was worth it because that dad was my brother, Captain “Chipster,” and that little boy was my nephew, now a Lawyer.
Move ahead about over twenty-five years, and I donned the costume of “Father Christmas” in a church production of The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe. I was married to the wardrobe mistress, and somebody thought it would be cute to have the pastor and his music director be the jolly old soul and his trusty elf. This time, there was a full white beard, no fake beard. That Thanksgiving, some kid in Plymouth, MA, thought I was the real deal, even in civilian clothes. He was nudging his brother and pointing at me while saying something. “I think that’s him.”
Jump to the present, and what I have noticed this time is that people of all ages are giving me a second glance when I’m out and about, and some even wish me an unsolicited “Merry Christmas.” So I’ve decided to roll with it, doing a little extra Love-Mischief along the way. I shocked a young man yesterday as I offered to take his shopping cart to the cart corral; he was stunned. I stand in line at the check-out and notice kids staring at me, so I give them a little wave. My favorite was the lady watching me cross the parking lot toward her, smiling the whole time as she waited to wish me a “Merry Christmas.” It might be a combo of a white beard and my signature pork pie fedora!
On Saturday, I did the gig at the library, and some kids seemed so comfortable with me. Then, that evening, Santa showed up at the church’s live nativity. He strolled up to the manger, dropped to a knee, lowered his head, eyes closed, and hands out as he paid homage to the Lord and King of Love-Mischief for about three minutes. Then he rose, turned around, and headed off into the evening. He didn’t say a word, but the message was clear…
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
SEARCHING FOR 42 