I Believe in Santa

Brian and I pulled up to Wal-Mart this morning, me for another day of work at the credit union, him because we're down to one car and he needed it today, and we noticed a big truck parked out front with cartloads of toys being loaded in. As we puzzled over what it could be, Brian asked me why there were so many company trucks for a local construction company parked in the parking lot as well. Curious, I went into Wal-Mart to see what was going on (and start my work day). Inside, there were cart loads and cart loads of toys at 4 checkout stands, with checkers frantically scanning toy after toy. The local construction company was buying toys for toys for tots. And when I say cart loads and cart loads, I am not exaggerating. The company spent $48,000 on toys including bikes, interactive Elmo's, race cars, and clothes. You name it, they bought it. It took 4 checkers probably a good 1/2 hour to check them out. Then I opened my office door, and saw that once again, my office was full of bags for the angel tree that my credit union helps sponsor. Even though the Salvation Army comes every other day to pick up the toys, my office is always full of bags. Even though we're out of angels, people are still dropping off gifts as extras for those angels who don't recieve as much as others. By this time, I was choking back tears. (It doesn't help that I'm already pretty emotional lately, lack of sleep and stress from finals will do that to you.) It was touching to see how generous people are. I know that the toys were a write-off for the construction company, but with the way the construction industry is doing I still find it quite admirable that they would do this (and I have my suspicions that the employees and owner donated some personal funds as well). I also assumed that the slower economy would mean fewer donations to the angel tree program. Boy, was I surprised. Our first batch of angels was taken from the tree the very first day the program was running. Even though it ends tomorrow, we have been getting phone call after phone call asking, no pleading, for angels to buy for. We've resorted to telling people to just go buy whatever they feel like giving, and bringing it in to donate to the Salvation Army. If anything, I think we had more success this year than in years past. So, I do believe in Santa Clause. I believe that the spirit of Santa Clause resides in the hearts of kind and generous people all over the world. And, while Santa tends to be a secular symbol of Christmas, I believe he is a spiritual symbol of the scripture, "inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." What better way to show love and respect for Christ than to give to those in need. I am so greatful that I had the privlage this holiday season of seeing so many show their love for Christ.