"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." — Dr. Seuss

Good morning. Today is Friday, or, as those who end their work week call it, Fantastic Friday. This one shows up here as December 5, 2025. I've not always been the 'real Santa' like I am now. For the seventh year since writing this one back in 2007, I share it again. It goes way, way back. Yep. Back to the 1900's. Yikes. Remember, it was the 1970's and I was still young and inexperienced. It was the worst of times and the best of times, or, as we would say today, it was what it was, or something like that. Enjoy.

 

You have landed on a blog where an Oldie is being played. Hopefully, you will agree that it's also a Goodie.

Good morning and welcome to today's episode. It is a reprint from one I first published in my blog written in December of 2007. It was one that garnered a number of positive comments, therefore, I wanted to share it with you again. It reflects my recollection of a short story I wrote back in the mid-1970s. You will notice that me ever playing Santa again was not even a blip on my radar screen at that time. The short story was entitled: "Confessions of a Miffed Myth!" These are some excerpts as best I remembered them. (The actual typed story is stored in a box, somewhere.) Here it is:
                                                       

I've had quite a few jobs in my lifetime. They have ranged from being physically labor-intensive up to executive management. However, none were quite as interesting as the Christmas season of 1973. During that season I worked in the evenings and on weekends as a department store Santa. Yes, that is the Christmas stamp from 1973, and yes, it did cost 8 cents! I was actually hired by a temporary agency that supplied Santas to a variety of stores. They conducted one mass training session where we were told about the outfits and how to do the makeup, and then we were encouraged to read the poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, by Clement C. Moore, to give us the idea behind the kind of Santa they wanted. I was assigned to a Sears store located in one of the area malls.

The store had set up a Santa Shop area next to their furniture department, and it was decorated with a large chair for Santa, all types of props, and it had a Polaroid camera to make instant photos for those wishing to buy a picture of their child with Santa. There were several of us who played Santa and a number of young ladies who dressed up as elves. These ladies worked the camera and operated the register. The Santa uniform, while uncomfortable and sweaty, was very nice and the beard very realistic. It was quite an ordeal to rush in from my regular job and undergo the transformation from an office worker to the Jolly Old Saint, and I did have to use a pillow for my tummy back in those days. There have been a few times over the years when I wouldn’t have needed one because I could have supplied my own, but that’s another story. Just so you know, I would not have to use one today!

Typically, I would work from 6 p.m. to store closing on the weeknights I was scheduled, and on Saturdays, I could work as many as 12 hours. This job might look like loads of fun but I will tell you from actual experience, it can be very, very difficult. The children, of course, were wonderful. And, you can put up with those that cry, and those who spit up on you, or the occasional accident that soils your suit. But, when you are dealing with THE PARENTS, and especially, THE MOMS, there’s little to no hope for any kind of enjoyment.

I want to mention a word about the music. The Jackson Five came out with a Christmas album in 1970 with many standards recorded in their memorable style. The songs were: 1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town 3. The Christmas Song 4. Up On The House Top 5. Frosty The Snowman 6. The Little Drummer Boy 7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 8. Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year 9. Give Love On Christmas Day 10. Someday At Christmas 11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. But there was only one huge problem: This was the only cassette our Santa Workshop had to play. I challenge anyone to listen to this music evening after evening and for 12 hours on Saturday without going postal! I guess the only thing worse I can think of is if it had been Alvin and the Chipmunks!

People showed up in droves and they were paying $2.50 for a special card with an instant photo of their child with Santa. Okay, we were not a portrait studio. It was a Polaroid camera! Hello? This was something that was obviously lost on many of the mommies who brought their children. They wanted the picture to be perfect which led to retakes, and log jams, and anger on the part of those waiting in line, and stress, and confusion, and chaos. There were times when I thought some of the moms were going to come to blows as they argued about their photos or their position in line. Believe it or not, some showed up to have twenty-five pictures made so they could send them out as Christmas cards. Now I ask you, who would think you might be able to keep a squirming kid posed for even one photo? It’s called insanity!

There were times whenever it got so completely out of hand I had no choice but to announce a timeout for Santa to go and feed his reindeer. (That’s what the sign said when I was on break.) If the children cried which many did, it was Santa’s fault. If the picture was bad, it was Santa’s fault. If the line was too long, it was Santa’s fault, and the list could go on and on and on. The last week before Christmas the store was open until 11 p.m. each night and I often pulled the entire Saturday shift by myself. Yes, we needed the extra money and we even have a photo of our boys taken with me, after we explained how I was only a helper because the real Santa was busy getting all the toys ready for them.

Despite these challenges, there were some moments that still stand out in my mind nearly 35 years later. I think about the little guy who wobbled up to me, trembling, as he brought all his old pacifiers in a bag to show Santa that he was kicking the habit. I remember the sad young ladies who came to take a photo for their boyfriend or husband stationed overseas. Then, there was that look in the eyes of children with disabilities as they had their moment with Santa. One night an entire high school Christmas party crew showed up for photos. Having a football player and his date sit on your lap was not exactly what I had in mind when I signed up for this work. And, THE CHILDREN. Santa is about children. Their innocence and their exuberant joy helped make an otherwise miserable experience one that still causes a warm glow in my heart, and brings a smile to my face. Here’s a final word straight from the old dude himself: "He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!" Have a great day and may God add His blessings to it. Amen.    ……More later."

"Find a chicken, pick it up, and all day long you will have good cluck." ~ copied

Good morning. Today is Thursday, December 4, 2025, and, I have an answer to share and it is an age old question: These two chickens crossed the road to be with Santa Claus! My dad passed away in January of 1954, therefore, we had to relocate our family, mom and us six kids to a rural area of Louisiana. I have written often about my upbringing, from age seven, in that Mayberry-like environment. That's how I feel when we visit Delight, Arkansas each year. Sorry Abilene, but the folks there in Delight don't treat you mean. Those two girls in the photo well represent that spirit. They are immediately beautiful, but, working with them again it was clear they are beautiful from the inside out. I did not know anything about the chickens. They were a surprise. I typically do not do pets, with rare exceptions, and those chickens were definitely a first for me. They are award winning. The younger girl was a wee bit more serious minded than her sister. She didn't like the Christmas hat on her prize winning chicken. She thought it was both degrading and embarrassing. Their mom told the girls they should hold the chicks like they do when they are presenting them for judging. The younger one immediately responded, "If I do Santa will end up with poop on him." Oh what fun we had. I realize I can be over-the-top when relating some of my Santa experiences, however, while doing this work can be exhausting, dealing with families and especially children like these two girls, well, it gives one a warm feeling all over more than anywhere else. No. I do not intend to add chicken photos to my Santa resume but they did make for an experience I will not soon forget. I came into the 2025 season pretty much thinking it would be my last. Sixteen years is a pretty good run, however, so far I've had a spark of renewal which has made me think I just might keep on going. Might. One last thing, don't you love that photo? I've looked at their entire portfolio from that day and they are some of the best ever. Sometimes I just have to stop and thank God for the privilege of being able to enjoy times like these. Amen. 

I would be remiss in not mentioning the one and only Mrs. Claus. She likes to say most people are there only for Santa photos, but, she is wrong. They love her and want her in the photos. I will continue to testify how she is the secret weapon of our Santa Enterprise. And, thanks so much to all those out there who take the time to read my blogs and many who respond. Thanks so much. The other thing I will mention about our Santa visit to Delight, Arkansas, is the fact that most all the people we work with are Christ followers. That includes our wonderful photographer, her family, and, most, if not all the folks who come to take pictures with us. No. It's not a requirement, but, it just worked out that way. Many of the clients are members of the Church where the photographer's husband is Pastor. (A good man of God.) Why do I mention this? Those who have called on the Lord Jesus Christ and surrendered their lives to Him, well, they have an immediate connection to others who have done the same. That's why we say we are brothers and sisters in Christ. But, they go to different Churches and some of them may not teach exactly the way your Church does. So what? If they are washed in the blood of The Lamb and you are too, that makes you and them family, heirs and joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17) And, when we exercise love one towards another, well, it makes a busy day of photography go a whole lot better. You do know what I mean, right Vern? Y'all have yourselves a remarkable rest of the day and know that God is always there, always. (Psalm 121:4 ~ "Behold, He who keeps Israel Will not slumber and will not sleep.") Amen.

"Christ is the light of the world, destined to shed His beams over the whole earth." ~ Spurgeon

Good morning and welcome. Today's edition is sponsored by Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The photo is from the annual tree lighting celebration at our local called out assembly, Mims Baptist Church, Conroe. We had a great time making photos pretty much non-stop for over two hours. It was a great time of feasting and fellowship and as always, our senior pastor, did a great job in sharing the truth of the Gospel and how Jesus is the Light of the World before the countdown to the tree coming alive. I will divulge the fact that I worked on the above photo itself to add the background and special effects, however, the people in the photo are who they appear to be and I should know since I am one of them. Ha! Here's the tree lighted up for all to see with a beautiful star on top. 

I love The Christmas Story because it is about The Christmas Child, our Lord and His coming into the world to seek and to save those who are lost that come to Him. One of my favorite passages that related to His birth are the verses that reflect the coming of the Magi or wise men who were led supernaturally to His location by a special star. I won't go into a lot of the details but suffice it to say these men did not see Jesus at the manger site. I have made it clear I have never destroyed anyone's display that show them bowing to the infant along with the shepherds and the animals. That's not my calling. At the same time, we should all know their arrival to Bethlehem was some time after His physical birth, some scholars think up to three or more years. I love their first meeting with Jesus as depicted in Matthew's Gospel: 

 "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, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11) I'm not altogether sure why this scene has always grabbed me, but, it has something to do with their reaction, 'they fell down'. My guess is they did not necessarily know that's what they were going to do, but, when they saw Him, the realization that embodied in the Child before them was He, none other than God the very God Himself, what else could they do?  I know. That's my imagination, but, something prompted them to fall down. I'll let all the theologians throw rocks at my way of seeing it, but, one thing is clear. They fell down! And, because of Who He is, our Bible tells us that one day,  "...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (The Apostle Paul writing to the local assembly at Philippi, Greece, (Philippians), in our reference from chapter 2, verses 10 and 11) That passage reflects on the prophetic word from Isaiah 45:3. I know. You didn't tune in for a Bible study today, but, I had that falling down and worshiping on my mind, so, I have now included you in it. I will leave us all to think on these things because the truth is illustrated in a choir song we often use at this time of year, "Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child". The old preacher would close in this way: "You can come to Him today, fall down and worship Him or you can refuse now only to bow down and confess Him later, after it's too late to be saved. What will you do? Good question for me, for you, for us all. Amen.

"Life is too short to waste in criticism and complaint." ~ Mother Teresa.

Okay. I'm back at it, again. Today is Tuesday, December 2, 2025. We have our Church lifegroup Christmas party this morning at a local restaurant. I'm not big on the white elephant shenanigans, but, we do what we have to do. Can I get a witness? The people who come to our Santa events are typically always complimentary of the way in which we do what we do. We love children just like the song says, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world." And, we can be sure He does. Occasionally, and I might add, very rare, I have run into someone critical of Santa. But, we live in America and Texas in particular, home of the road rage, therefore, some folks come prepared to be upset if things don't turn out in their view the perfect way they anticipated. Children. They are very unpredictable when it comes to their Santa encounter. While we instill the stranger-danger concept into our kiddos, it can be trying when they don't immediately warm up to the jolly old elf. It happens. Yes. I have seen some who very clearly were terrified. Sometimes, Mrs. Claus can intervene. Not always. There are times when a child will not, no matter the circumstances, come anywhere near Santa. That's when I've been criticized. Okay? If that makes someone feel better, go for it. I had one lady tell me one time she had never had an issue until they brought him to me. Really? I was actually filling a spot for a Santa who was fired for being totally unqualified. The photos were being printed on site for $5. You are kidding. Right? Nope. I never wanted so badly to give someone $5 and tell her to take her business elsewhere. But, that's not my point. I'm talking about compliments. We get them. Lots of them. Children tell us they love us. Some hug us. The parents can't stop thanking us. They do. They really do. Last Sunday evening we did the lighting of the Christmas tree for our local Church. We did dozens of family photos for two hours mostly one right after the other. A young fellow who was a big boy, maybe eight or nine came up and when we finished with the photo he looked me right in the eyes and said this, "You are the best." That along with his genuine smile from ear to ear was worth tons to me. After all, these kids are the true experts when it comes to knowing if I'm doing my job or not, and, that is to bring joy to girls and boys of all ages. 

 

I have no idea if this image explains anything but I thought it looked cool, and, it might.

I've actually written before about the lady who complained about her $5 photo. And, that's okay, because Mrs. Claus worries about Santa because she continues to tell me how I repeat my stories over and over. She thinks that might indicate a problem. I usually tell her my stories are worth repeating over and over but that doesn't really resolve anything. I also try to use the age card but she typically operates in a no trump game. I do know this and I am unanimous in this understanding: I am not as sharp mentally in my current configuration as I was when I was sharper, at times very sharp indeed. I know that doesn't make too much sense but in this case I yield to an expert on the matter at hand, none other than Dr. Seuss himself, "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." And, "Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope." I do intend to pay more attention to what is an obvious issue with repetitiveness, but, be forewarned, I am not coming up with a lot of good new stories, therefore, I will have to dig deeper into the old ones hopefully finding some I've never used before. Good luck with that one. Y'all pray for Mrs. Claus as she has her hands full dealing with an aging, forgetful Santa-man. Until next time, may the Good Lord above take a liking to you, oh, that's right, He already does as seen in Him sending His one and only Son to die for the sins of everyone. And, that, includes us all! Amen.

"At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year." — Thomas Tusser, (1524-1580), English poet and farmer, and the actual quote went like this: "At Christmas play and make good cheere, for Christmas comes but once a yeere." published in 1557.

Welcome one and all to Christmas Month here at the ole blogger ranch as we usher in this Monday, December 1, 2025. We are trying to get ready for one of our busiest seasons for almost the entirety of this brand new month. As Mrs. Claus often says, "You have no one to blame but yourself because let's face it, you just can't say no." Yikes. It's only been sixty one years plus our time of dating and she knows me so well. Wow! The photo above displays the evolution of the Santa Claus character beginning with Saint Nicholas and ending with the commercialized Coca Cola Santa. My portrayal attempts to embody the spirit of the season but doing so as the Coca Cola fellow. At least that's the style we shoot for.

  

   

 

 

That photo was taken several years ago in the studio of Mindy Harmon, chosen as The Woodlands number one photographer year after year. We will be back in the studio again this Saturday for our 16th year. She makes more than just photos, they are portraits that capture the essence of family Christmas themes. I have no idea if she has any spots available, but, if you are interested give the studio a call, she may have a slot available. 

 

The best decision made in this Christmas portrayal journey was getting the wife involved in either the second or third season as Mrs. Claus. She exudes an extroverted loving spirit that comes through in the photos we make together. The best illustration of her contribution is told through the story of one young man who began making photos with us when he was maybe seven or eight years old. That began a tradition. He made photos with me and then he was able to interact with Mrs. Claus as she entertained him while his parents were viewing the early proofs. That began a journey where he would return each year and he tolerated having his photos made with Santa only because he wanted to have his time with his favorite, Mrs. Claus. It took me a while to get over playing second fiddle to the Mrs., but, let's face it. When it comes to her people skills, I might be The Santa Claus, but, she will win every time. She loves people and they love her back. I love them too but ...... I'll leave it at that. It will be interesting to see if we can keep up with all we have planned for the month. Santa appearances, Church activities, family gatherings, preparation, execution, and it's pretty ambitious for old people. We do pray God will provide not only for us but for us all, and, He will. May He add His blessings. Amen.