I had an object lesson in this today. We were entertaining friends at home when the phone rang. I was asked to come over to my sister-in-laws house. They had a Santa costume and wondered if I’d be willing to “play Santa” for one of their grandsons, a five-year-old. I was all “we’ve got company and my sinuses are bothering me” inside but I thought what the heck, it’s for Sam. Sam is a little ball of fire disguised as a small boy. He always seems to be getting into mischief, even at five, but he’s a good kid, just full of energy.

So when I walked into the house in full dress Santa costume, and said, “Ho, Ho, Ho! Where’s young mister Sam? Is he here?” you’d think he’d won the lottery. His eyes got as big as possible and he rushed over to give me a hug. We sat down and he got on my lap and promptly forgot everything he wanted for Christmas, except a monster something. Fortunately,, as I told Sam, the elves had completely packed my sleigh with as much as it could possibly hold and there wasn’t enough room for all his presents, which was why I had to track him down and his grandpa’s house.

I have no idea what the elves (mom) had packed in the present for him, but it was enough for two more hugs and a “golly, mom” when he opened it.

Best. Christmas. Ever. The expression on his face was worth the fake beard and hair and the hot costume. Yeah, I know we’re really supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ – the reason for the season – and all, but putting some wonder in the eyes of a small child ranks way up there too.