Dear Mr. Claus

I know you’re a busy man with voice mail, and E-mail and all that stuff. I’m sure it can’t be easy running a global enterprise and delivering everything, everywhere, by yourself. The date of your big business trip rapidly approaches, so your red suit and hat with the fur must be at the cleaners. I hope you’re getting some rest. It wouldn’t be good if you fell asleep at the reins of your sleigh—way up there in midair

Mr. Claus, I’m writing because I’ve been thinking about what I want for Christmas. I told my mom and dad. They looked at me sort of funny then suggested I write to you. They both got the expression that usually means, “How do we deal with this?” They opted out, Mr. Claus. They deferred to you—so here’s my Christmas list.

(1) First of all, I want everybody in the world to stop fighting. I learned in Sunday School that we’re all brothers and sisters. I don’t think it’s right when families fight, do you? Maybe if you brought us peace on Earth for Christmas, people would like it and it would catch on.

(2) I want the homeless people to have homes so they won’t be homeless anymore. It can’t be much fun living in a cardboard box from a washing machine or leaf-blower. Do you think you could find all the homeless people places where they’d feel safe and sound? I hate to pressure you, but could you do it by Christmas? That would be terrific!

(3) I want all the people who are hungry to have food to eat. Could you please bring them healthy food for Christmas—and maybe some Christmas goodies to go with it?

(4) There are so many lonely people. I’ve heard that there are also lonely pets. I’ve been thinking about this. If you got them together, the people and the pets would both have somebody to love. They could be each other’s Christmas gifts. Do you suppose you could work that out?

(5) The last thing on my list is a smile for each and every person on the planet. If everyone had a smile, they could share it with family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, schoolmates, and ‘total strangers. That way, the gift would keep giving all year. It would be very cost-effective. And, who knows? If people were always smiling, maybe they’d stop fighting with each other so much.

Well, Mr. Claus, that’s the end of my list, and I thank you for reading it. I don’t know if you got the same look as my parents got, but, hopefully, you didn’t. I plan to leave you cookies and milk on Christmas Eve, unless you’d prefer tuna casserole. Maybe you’re a vegetarian. If so, I could make you a sandwich with cheese, sprouts, and tomato slices on it. I’m not really sure what reindeer eat, but I’m going to try and find some Reindeer Chow. Even if it snows, I’ll leave the flue open for you.

Merry Christmas! Love, Billy

Claus
North Pole

December 2009
Dear Billy,

Yes, my red suit and hat are at the cleaners now. I’m wearing overalls, and I’m writing to tell you that your recent letter made my day. At last a request that doesn’t need gift-wrapping and reflects the true spirit of Christmas! Mrs. Claus directs the teams of wrappers here, and she asked me to please send her thanks to you.

I’ll do my very best with your list, Billy, and I’m also going to fax a copy to God. The two of us often work together on special projects.

Love, and Merry Christmas, Child,
Santa

P.S. Since you asked, some tuna casserole would be great. I get so cookied-out by Christmas morning. It’s an occupational hazard. S.C.

Letters courtesy of Rona Kornblum, participant in the Center of the World Festival

This is part of the December 18, 2009 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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