"If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." – Dolly Parton

This photo was taken with the Chick-fil-A cows at the annual Magnolia Education Foundation event a few years ago. 

Good morning and welcome. Today. I think I am reporting in as at least being able to climb the stairs and sit in the control chair here at the ole blogger ranch to participate in the keystroke manufacturing process, on this, Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Last night we, that is, Santa and Mrs. Claus, showed up at one of the Chick-fil-A locations, Hwy 99 and Rayford Road, and it was packed. Literally. They had advertised our appearance so we had a huge group waiting when we arrived. I think they call it a vibe but the entire eatery was buzzing with excitement as we came through the door. We always enjoy loving on so many different children along with their families. I mention the Chick-fil-A connection because it dates back to the very beginning of my Santa Enterprise journey some sixteen years ago and I will always be grateful for the local support given to us by Kendrick Skipper and the franchise staffs, Magnolia and Alden Bridge locations, who helped get us up and going and have supported us through the years. After finishing our time last evening, on our way home we decided to stop and get Chinese take out. I went into the location dressed as Santa. The folks there are from China and I've been there many times. I have tried to warm up to their young sons many times in the past to no avail. However, show up as Santa Claus and suddenly I am the star attraction. Those boys were so funny. They began hooping and hollering and singing Jingle Bells in their own broken English. The place is primarily for take out and there was a lady there waiting on her order. She greeted me as Santa. I responded back and told her that Santa was in the house to which she said, "Not only Santa but it's the real Santa." Okay. A little inside baseball here. If you portray Santa, well, hearing yourself mentioned as the real Santa, let me just tell you, it doesn't get better than that. Mrs. Claus doesn't think people are that interested in all the details of my life as the Jolly Old Elf, but, it's how it unfolded, therefore, it was mine to share, so I did. I did. I really did. Ho Ho Ho.

 

I also want to mention again how the Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus. They gave quite lavishly to the new born Messiah. (Many scholars connect their act of giving to our giving of gifts to each other at Christmastime.)  Jesus gave Himself up for us all, and, there are too many to mention proofs that people who are givers have a better time of it in life than those who choose not to give. Most people are familiar with Ebeneezer Scrooge from the famous story written by Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol', first published in 1843. The Scrooge character has become emblematic of those who live life as misers, cold-hearted, and excessively focused on accumulating wealth while neglecting the welfare of others, and as in the story, lacking empathy especially around the Christmas holiday. Dickens was a champion of the underclass and those who struggled each day just to survive. We should not be surprised how much God has to say in His Word about these very issues. Here are fifteen that pretty much are random but they give some substance to why God wants His own to be givers because after all He so loved, He gave..... 1. 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." ~ 2. 2 Corinthians 8:12 "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have." ~ 3. 2 Corinthians 8:7 "But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving." ~ 4. Luke 6:30 "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." ~ 5. Psalm 37:21 "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously." ~ 6. 2 Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." ~ 7. Luke 3:11 "John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." ~ 8. Deuteronomy 8:18 "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today." ~ 9. Proverbs 3:9 "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops." ~ 10. Acts 20:35 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" ~ 11. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~ 12. Proverbs 3:27 "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." ~ 13. Deuteronomy 16:17 "Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you." ~ 14. Leviticus 27:30 "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." ~ 15. Proverbs 21:25-26  "The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing." That's more than enough on that subject. May God help us all to please Him with the life He has given to us. Amen.