The Christmas Legend

 

            Once, a long time ago, Santa Claus was flying high above the earth in his sleigh.  It wasn't Christmas time.  In fact, it was spring, and Santa was finally rested up from a night of passing out presents to good boys and girls all over the world.  He hadn't started the orders for the next year yet.  It just felt good to be flying high over the sky with his reindeer.  Rudolf was, of course, in the lead.  Even the reindeer seemed happy to get out and just fly, with a sleigh full of only Santa.

            Suddenly, Santa felt a tugging at his heart.  It was as if the most joyous time of the year had suddenly shifted to this time, this moment.  He stopped, and looked down.

 

                St. Luke 2

                1.  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

                3.  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 

                The reindeer pulled up in mid-turn, and stood high over the earth, pawing in the air, wondering what the jolly old man was up to.  Impatiently, Rudolf tugged at his reigns.  But Santa merely ignored him.

                The old man had been giving joy to so many people too long to miss the spirit, the almost overwhelming joy he suddenly felt. He knew something very special was happening close by.  He looked over the edge of the sleigh into the darkness below.

                There, far below, he saw a bright light.  It was far brighter than anything that should be there.  He knew electricity would not be used on earth for two more millennia.

 

                4.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

                5.  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

               

                The light glowed, and flashed, then suddenly the whole area seemed awash with light, and drifting up he could hear a chorus of voices singing.  He strained, but could not hear the words they sang, but he knew they were important.

                "Now, Dasher, down, Prancer," he said softly to the deer.  "Lead the others down below.  Let us go see what this wonder is."

 

                6.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

                7.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.            

 

            The deer turned at Santa's command, even Rudolf obeying instantly.  The old hands were gentle on the reigns, and the deer felt the same joy, and quieting peace washed over them.  They, too, wanted to see what was happening below.

                Santa shook his head slowly from side to side as the sleigh turned in the sky, and tried to see over the edge to see what the light was. They were coming closer, but, somehow he knew they would not arrive before whatever was happening there ended.

 

                8.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

                9.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

                10.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

                11.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

                Santa turned the sleigh again.  Closer yet, and still he could not hear what the chorus was singing.  He could almost pick out the words, but not quite.  He touched the reigns, and the deer turned as one and circled down closer to the bright lights below.

 

                12.  And this shall be a sign unto you;  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

                13.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

                14.  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

                Santa felt a great feeling of elation as he heard the final chorus!  "Glory to God!" they sang, "and on earth peace, good will toward men!"  Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the light vanished.  The darkness of the cool spring night washed in again, and all was as it had been.

                But not all.  As Santa turned the reindeer toward the North Pole, and home, something stopped him.  He didn't want to go home!  Not yet!  There was something down there he still was meant to see.  He turned the deer back toward the little town near where the light had been.

                As he pulled up into the town, near an inn, back behind the stable, he was surprised to see people!  This time of night the stable yard should have been empty, but it was not. 

                They were crowding near the entrance of the stable, trying to see what was happening in there.  Yet, over all the people there was a reverence, and awe.

                Santa stepped down from his sleigh, and walked quietly toward the stable.  As he walked, a familiar figure even if out of season, the people parted to let him pass. Quietly he entered the lowly edifice.

 

                15.  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

                16.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 

                Santa stood for only a moment in the stable. He saw the mother, Mary, and Joseph close by.  He knew them both.  And he knew the babe in the manger, the one child on earth who would never ask anything of him.  It was the child who had been promised from the days of Adam and Eve.  It was the one who would bring everlasting joy to the world.

                Santa knew this was not his night.  It was the baby's night.  The shepherds would be remembered for being here, but he would not, and he knew that was as it should be.  All the same, he was glad he'd come.

                Reverently, he took off his hat, and knelt in the presence of the Son of God, grateful tears streaming down his cheeks.  The Father of All had given the long awaited gift to the world that no one could ever equal.  He had given his Son.

 

 

 

The Lauber Family

Christmas 1994