The Best Gift

[Guest guest]

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes > Looked deep into Santa’s, to Santa’s surprise > And said as he sat on Santa’s broad knee, > "I want your secret. Tell it to me." > He leaned up and whispered in Santa’s good ear > "How do you do it, year after year?" > "I want to know how, as you travel about, > Giving gifts here and there, you never run out. > How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys > You have plenty for all of the world’s girls and > boys? > Stays so full, never empties, as you make your way > From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small, > From nation to nation, reaching them all?" > And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy, > "Don’t ask me hard questions. Don’t you want a toy?" > But the child shook his head, and Santa could see > That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me," > He told that small boy with the light in his eyes, > "My secret will make you sadder and wise. > "The truth is that my sack is magic inside > It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride. > But although I do visit each girl and each boy > I don’t always leave them a gaily wrapped toy. > Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad, > Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad. > Some homes are broken, and the children there > grieve. > Those homes I visit, but what should I leave? > "My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff, > But for homes where despair lives toys aren’t > enough. > So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy, > And I pray with them that they’ll be given the joy > Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives > In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but > gives. > "If only God hears me and answers my prayer, > When I visit next year, what I will find there > Are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and > love > And boys and girls gifted with light from above. > It’s a very hard task, my smart little brother, > To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others. > But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts > indeed, > For God has a way of meeting each person’s need. > "That’s part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth, > Is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth. > In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day > More love than a Santa could ever give away. > The sack never empties of love, or of joys > `Cause inside it are prayers, and hope. Not just > toys. > The more that I give, the fuller it seems, > Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams. > "And do you know something? You’ve got a sack, too. > It’s as magic as mine, and it’s inside of you. > It never gets empty, it’s full from the start. > It’s the center of light, and love. It’s your heart. > And if on this Christmas you want to help me, > Don’t be so concerned with the gifts `neath your > tree. > Open that sack called your heart, and share > Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care." > The light in the small boy’s eyes was glowing. > "Thanks for your secret. I’ve got to be going." > "Wait, little boy," said Santa, "don’t go. > Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you > know?" > And just for a moment the small boy stood still, > Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered, > "I will." > Thanks and God Bless