Santa at home

These are some of Santa's favorite stories. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do... and be sure to share them with others.

The Innkeeper's Story
(By John Degel, copyrighted)

Welcome sir, welcome to my humble inn. I hope you'll find our facilities to your liking.

Luckily, you didn't arrive a few months back when Caesar's census was taking place. We were so packed we were turning people away, which was a first for us.

My name is Marcus. I'm a retired member of the 10th Legion who received this place as a mark of favor for my services to the Empire.I live here with my wife, Rachel, and my sons, Saul and Thomas. We'll take good care of you during your stay in Bethlehem, never fear.

What's that? Oh, you noticed the crowd down at our old stable and you wondered what is happening?Well, it's a long story, but I'll be glad to share it with you, if you desire. But first, let me take care of these gentlemen.

Now, where was I? Oh, yes, you wanted to hear the story about the stable.

I can tell you one thing, after 20 years in Caesar's Legions, traveling the length and breadth of the Empire, I never saw anything like it before and I'll wager any amount I'll never see anything like it again, no matter how long I live.

Like I said. Caesar's census was out busiest period yet, what with men and their families traveling here from all over the country to be counted in the town of the man's birth.

I was at the bursting point, trying to find space for travelers, their equipment and their animals. The rooms were full. People were even sleeping in the courtyard – anywhere they could find to lie down. In fact, I was just taking a breather at this very table when I saw him in the doorway.

He looked to be middle-aged, but very strong and fit. Judging by the condition of his clothing I judged him to have come some distance. I thought he was just another traveler until he spoke and I knew him to be a native of this village by his accent.

"Good evening, sir," he says to me. "My wife and I have been on the road for days and we're extremely weary. Do you have any rooms available?"

I felt sorry for him, but I just didn't have any room for them here. The young fella (I call him young because he is, next to me) seemed disappointed, but he took the news pretty well, even though he told me they'd tried every other inn in Bethlehem with no success... and he didn't have any family to stay with.

Well, I walked outside with Joseph that was the fella's name, to meet his wife and got the shock of my life.

She wasn't any more than 15 or 16 and just about as pregnant as you can get. She was obviously exhausted, but managed a pale smile as Joseph and me as we approached her.

I learned Joseph – who was a carpenter -- and his wife, Mary, had only been married earlier that year and he proudly told me she was near to her time but she'd traveled all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census without a world of complaint.

The two were loosely related, both being of the House of David, one of the most respected bloodlines in all Israel and both carried themselves with grace and dignity, despite the hardships of the trip.

I felt really bad for them; but for the life of me, I couldn't think of any space where they could bed down.

About that time my wife, Rachel, who'd come bustling up to get a look at the girl, let out a screech you could hear across town.

"Marcus, you sorry, sorry man," she yelled, "how can you leave this poor mite out here in the cold? You'd better find some room for them before I give them your bed."

Well, I knew I'd never hear the end of it – and I'd find myself sleeping in a chair if I didn't find some sort of place for them; but there wasn't any room left even in the stable... the stable!

"Well, there is one possibility, " I said hesitantly, knowing my old lady was going to smack me if she didn't like my idea. "There's an old building out behind the stable kind of built up against a cave in the hillside. I used to use it for a manger until the business outgrew it. It hasn't been used in years; but if we muck it out a bit, it might do until I can find better."

"Marcus, you old dear, it will be fine, for a little while, if we get to it," Rachel said with a determined look in her eyes as she started rolling up her sleeves. "You start sweeping the floors, Joseph and the boys can haul out whatever's in there and I'll start cleaning the walls after you build a fire and we get this little dove," giving Mary a quick hug, "warmed up next to it."

Turning to Mary she said, "Honey, you just sit there and stay warm. There's plenty of us to do what needs to be done. You've got other things to think about,"

She turned into the inn shouting for the boys to bring a broom, rags and water.

Well sir, it took us a couple of hours to get that old shed livable; but it seemed like it didn't take any time at all with the three of us bustling around, laughing and talking like old friends.

Boys being boys, Saul and Thomas managed to disappear as soon as it looked like there was work to be done, but we didn't even miss them, we were having such a good time.

Every once in a while, Mary would throw in a quiet little comment or joke that seemed to fire us up as we toted trash, swept the floors and cleaned up the tiny little room for her.

By the time we were done with that old shed, it seemed like a completely new place. It was clean and quiet and with a small fire in the old forge it had warmth and glow that made me and Rachel want to stay there with them.

It didn't hurt to see how carefully Joseph and Mary looked after each other either. Those two were so good together that Rachel whispered to me, "Now that's a match made in heaven."

I didn't figure she was much off target, either.

After the work was done, we all went back to the inn and Rachel fixed us a wonderful meal, which I managed to spice up with some old wine I picked up in my legion days farther south.

We spent a couple of hours together talking until Rachel noticed how pale and quiet Mary was getting and led her off to bed.

Joseph stayed a while longer and we watched the fire die down, talking about family and their plans after they went back to Nazareth where Joseph had his business and plans of teaching it to his son. He seemed pretty sure the child would be a boy. We both started nodding off and we each went off to our wives and our beds.

It must have been two or three in the morning when someone banging on the door woke me up. I yelled down that we had no room; but it was Joseph and boy, was he excited.

"It's coming! It's coming! The baby is coming!" he yelled up at me.

I got up and got dressed as fast as I could – but not as fast as Rachel – she was dressed, down the stairs and boiling water faster than Caesar invaded Britain. She made me and Joseph gather up some soft cloths and blankets and she grabbed the water and we headed out back.

But we were too late.

We hadn't gotten more than halfway to the shed when suddenly the night turned warm and still, almost as if it were summer instead of early spring.The stars seemed brighter and the night suddenly seemed clearer than any I ever remembered.

You might think I'm crazy, but I swear I heard singing, soft and low off in the distance. I couldn't make out any words or melody, but what ever it was it calmed me down and warmed me up a t the same time.

"He's here," Joseph breathed happily in my ear. "Just as we were told. He's here and He came just as the messengers said he would."

He smiled at Rachel and me and said, "My son is here. Mary and I will call him Jesus; to fulfill a promise made to us and by us. This is a happy day for the whole world."

Now, I'm a father myself and I know the pride a father can feel – especially for his first born – but I thought Joseph was spreading it on a bit thick when he claimed wonderful things were in store for the world just because he had a son.

However, I almost thought he was telling the truth when we finally got to the shed.

A couple of shepherds staying in a field nearby with their sheep had heard Mary's cries when she started going into labor and they'd got to her in time to help deliver the baby.

They had him cleaned up and wrapped in one of their cloaks and had given him to his mother.

Rachel jumped right in the middle of them and began redoing everything they'd done; but they took it good-naturedly and stood around quietly watching the young mother and child.

When was what everybody who started showing up to see what the fuss was about was doing – standing silently staring at the little family – especially that little baby.

It was amazing how quiet a big crowd, and it was a big crowd pretty quickly, could be. I've seen lots of babies in my time, but even I could see there was something special about this one. You got the feeling He knew what was going on right from the very beginning and that He understood what we were saying and feeling.

Looking into His eyes was enough to make you want to start crying or laughing, or maybe both at the same time. We must have stood around until dawn, just watching those three in their first hours together. The hours seemed like seconds and time seemed to stand still every time He drew you into His eyes.

When we finally left them alone, the sun was coming up and Rachel and I went off to work. I hadn't gotten much sleep, only an hour or two, but I felt like I had the best night's sleep ever.

Over breakfast, Rachel told me how rested she felt and we wondered if the baby might really have had something to do with it.

The funny thing was, even though Saul and Thomas slept through all the excitement, they said they could feel a difference in the inn, too.

That little family stayed on in the shed as the census continued, finally moving into a room near ours. Joseph helped me out with repairs around the place while Mary spent most of her time with the baby, showing Him to the visitors; but helping out Rachel when and where she could.

They became quite an attraction in town and very popular with all the people to came from all over to meet them and see the baby. Believe it or not, hundreds of people showed up at one time or another just to see that little Jesus.

We had a hard time keeping order because the shepherds who had helped Mary, and other guests who had been there that night, was running all over telling everyone they met that angels told them little Jesus was the Messiah – that's a Jewish redeemer promised them from centuries back.

About a month or so back, three men showed up. They were either three of the richest men I'd seen, or maybe even kings from someplace far away. They had already been to see King Herod and his advisors had directed them to Bethlehem and the townsfolk had pointed out the inn to them.

They had been traveling for months, looking for a baby and Jesus apparently was the one they were seeking because they were real happy to see Him. They brought some real rich gifts for Him; but something one of them said to Mary seemed to upset here. Her eyes brimmed up with tears and she held Jesus even closer, as if to protect Him from some danger. And she stayed watchful for days after they left.

Business was booming for Rachel, and me what with all the people coming by to see the baby. We started leaving Him on a pile of blankets in from of the fireplace without worry – some of the caravanners staying at the inn had guard dogs that protected their animals and goods – and they stood guard over little Jesus . They were gentle as lambs with Him. Staying close to keep him warm and running to Mary if He started to fuss. And if you came too close too fast the look in their eye and the gleam of their fangs told you you risked the loss of life and limb if you threatened that little baby.

No matter what sort of person or animal came in contact with that baby, they always seemed to leave in a better frame of mind after spending a few moments with Him.

Like I said, things had never been better for us. The arrival of Joseph and Mary, and the birth of little Jesus, seemed to be something special for us in Bethlehem.

The world seemed to be a better place to live in. until they left just a few days after those three rich men visited them. The news reached me when Rachel came stumbling into the storeroom where the boys and me were taking inventory, crying her eyes out.

"They're gone, Marcus. All of them – Mary, Joseph and sweet little Jesus – without a word," she sobbed. "Just this," handing me a note...

"Dear Marcus and Rachel," it read.  "We can never thank you enough for all you've done for us these past months; but we've received a message and must leave. We're going far away, but we'll try to see you again some day. You hold a very special place in our hearts and you will always be in our prayers."

I kind of teared up, too. I was going to miss those three more than I ever thought I'd miss anybody outside my own family. Well, it's been a while and hard times hit all of us. All the first born males in the village, in fact the entire district, were killed on the orders of that crazy Herod. People say he had some sort of premonition one of those babies born here was going to be the end of him.

I'm glad the three of them weren't here when that happed, but they wouldn't have had to worry. I didn't carry a sword and lance all those years to let some homicidal maniac kill someone I loved.

Ahh, but I'm getting off the subject. I was telling you about the shed and that crowd that still goes down there. It's a sorry little place, but the warmth of that family is still there. Rachel and I often walk down there when we're tired or feeling pain and we always come back feeling better.

That's my story... take it or leave it... would you like to see the shed for yourself? Come on, I feel like going down there myself and think about that baby. Someday, we're all going to hear a lot more about Him. I think Joseph was right. There is something special about that baby.

He is definitely someone special – with a special name – Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth.

A Cowboy's Christmas

By John Degel c- 2007

Twas the night before Christmas, a cold, windy night.
The boys was all snuggled in their blankets real tight,
'Cept for the ones a ridin' herd through out the night.
When someone shouted, "Aw, whut the heck?!

We all sat up quick to see whut wuz the matter,
And there was Tucson Pete all in a turrible lather.
"Someone took my sombrero and my one pair a' boots,
There's a thief amongst you, ya sorry galoots!"

Then we all checked our warbags and come up missin,
Somethin' of value each cowboy called his'n
Shirts, hats and pants, and belts to boot,
Was all inventoried as part of the loot.

Our warbags was plundered,
Our goods scattered about,
When suddenly old cookie
Let out with a shout...

"Hey, boys, looky here, ain't this a sight?"
And pointed to his chuckwagon there in the night,
There on his table, for all to see,
Was a twinklin' and shiny tall Christmas tree.

And pile all around it, like a kiddie's toys,
Was a bunch of packages, addressed to the boys.
We all snatched ours up, without a word,
All you could hear was the call of a bird.

Tucson Pete had a new hat, and shiny new boots.
There was plenty of clothing for all them galoots.
And me? Well, I pondered and sat,
Sittin' there starin' at my new Stetson hat.

"It's clear to me boys, this wan't no trick,
Said Cookie, "We had us a visit from old Saint Nick."
And we all looked up with wondering eyes,
Starin' around under the starry night skies.

Way over there, on Thunderhead Butte,
Stood a fat, dumpy fella in a red furry suit.
His remuda had horns, and was hitched to a sleigh,
And he shouted to us, "I got visits to pay!"

Try on your gear, it's a guaranteed fit,
You'll get used to them new boots in just a bit."
Then jumped in his sleigh and gave out a shout,
"All right you rannies, let's move it on out."

They all started runnin' to the edge of the hill,
Then took off a flyin' with nary a spill.
And as we watched them fly out of sight,
He shouted out clear, "God bless you this night!"

Ana's Star

By John Degel c2007

To look at me, you'd think you were seeing Santa Claus in the flesh.

I'm six feet tall, weigh 380 pounds and I've got a white beard and hair... mostly because I dye it.

I actually am Santa Claus, in a sense. I'm a professional real-bearded Santa who spends my Christmas season sitting in a shopping mall visiting with literally thousands of children in a six-week gig that helps pay off my bills from the preceding months.

I've always had an affinity for Santa, probably because he's someone everyone likes and loves without strings attached.

And since I became a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I've gotten an even deeper understanding of the importance of the family - especially the children.

The children know they should be good and obey their parents - and they promise to be good when they visit me - but they also know Christmas Eve will be a time of excitement and presents, no matter how they've acted.

There are funny moments when children or parents react in a surprising way to Santa or his questions.

Santa finds it overwhelming when some of his little friends are afraid of him.

There are serious moments when organizations bring groups of blind, deaf or disabled children to visit.

As Santa, I've learned to say "I love you" and other expressions in American Sign Language.

I've learned to let tiny fingers trace lightly over my face and tug gently at my beard as small blind children learn to "see" Santa with their fingertips.

I've dealt with emotionally disturbed children, poor children, rich children - children from all walks of life and all sorts of backgrounds who look forward to seeing Santa every year.

One Thing in Common

All of them have one thing in common. They want to know someone loves them. And it's hard not to as you look into their eager and hopeful eyes and know all they really want is a hug and a smile and a whispered "I love you, too."

Sometimes, I can even share with them the wonder of Heavenly Father's love for them.

Some of Santa's children feel so comfortable in his presence that he - and they - can snuggle together for a long winter's nap.

Every Santa gets his share of crying, frightened and sometimes even angry children ("I didn't get that puppy last year!"); but you learn to deal with them and 99 times out of 100, the child will leave the set with a smile, exclaiming, "Momma, that really was Santa."

It's the same where ever I go - and my experiences have led me to Illinois (twice), Texas and California (going back for my fourth visit this year), so I've met children from every culture and race that can possibly be found in America.

Santa Meets His Match

I can wish a child a Merry Christmas in nine languages and converse in Spanish or English. No challenge is too great. At least that was what I thought until I met Ana.

Ana was almost four years old when I went to visit her in a sterile hospital room in the children's wing of the hospital. Her mother had brought her three siblings - two brothers and a sister - to visit me at the mall a day or two earlier, and little Tommy and Shelly wished for me to visit Ana in the hospital. Davey wanted me to make her better.

You should have seen the look on their faces when I told them I'd be glad to visit Ana - and I could do it Christmas Eve before I left to gather up the reindeer and begin my rounds.

Christmas Eve is always the most stressful day for Santa. The parents who waited until the last minute to bring their children to visit are frustrated and upset by the often two-hour wait in line with children who have even less patience than the parent.

After eight hours of that, all I really wanted to do was go back to my motel room, shuck off my suit and boots and sink into a recliner and unwind.

But Ana was waiting, and I had promised.

I had one of my helpers stop by a toy shop in the mall and pick up a few things for me: a Barbie doll, a little pony, a game, a deck of Old Maid Cards and some costume jewelry. I tucked the items into my sack and headed for the hospital.

Hospital Cheer

It's always funny to walk into a building and see the look on the face of a receptionist when she looks up and finds Santa Claus looking back at her. I was directed to the nurse's station in the children's wing and started toward Ana's room, stopping to visit quickly with nurses, doctors, patients and visitors who encountered me on the way.

A crowd quickly gathered at the nurse's station, especially when the word spread I was there to visit Ana. I discovered she was quite undeniably the most popular of the seven children in the ward - and the sickest.

The doctor tried explaining her problems to me; but the only thing that sank in was the fact it started as a birth defect. Several operations had been undertaken to correct her problems, to no avail. This was Ana's fourth visit, and the doctors were now convinced this last operation would only prolong the inevitable for a short time.

As I approached the room I could hear Christmas music softly playing and a happy child's laugh, quickly shared by other children and adults. Walking into the room with a hearty, "Ho, Ho, Ho," I found Ana, a tiny sprite cocooned in a sitting position on the hospital bed with IVs, an oxygen tube and other tubes slinking in under her blankets.

Although I knew she was almost four, she appeared to be younger and very, very small for her age. She was wearing a purple nightgown and, because of the surgery and subsequent treatment, a brown, shoulder-length wig.

Visiting Ana

"Santa Cwas, you did come!" she squealed happily. "Mommy, Santa Cwas is here!"

Her parents cleared a chair next to the bed for me - the room was filled with stuffed animals, balloons, flowers and bright homemade banners and cards from her friends, family and even the staff. This was a popular little girl, and looking into her bright blue eyes and looking at the sparkling smile outlined by deep dimples, you could see why.

"I was weally hoping you could come see me," she said. "I always like seeing you and I been weally, weally good. I pwomise."

It took a little bit of effor, but we finally worked it out so she could give me a long, loving hug without tangling all the various tubes and lines attached to her frail little body. Then I sat and we chatted for a while then I gave her the few little gifts I'd brought, each accepted with a happy squeal and "I wuv it so much!"

We talked of this and that, with her brothers and sister and parents joining in the conversation, punctuated with laughter. Even the nurses and doctors made a point of stopping by the door, and there was an endless parade of curious patients and visitors walking by to see what all the excitement was about.

Visiting hours ended, but Ana sweet-talked the staff and her parents into letting me stay.

We played Old Maid and the board game I brought. We talked about the reindeer and her nursery school.

We talked about Christmases past and our hopes for future Christmases. Ana's mother broke into tears and left the room with the other children to take them home and prepare them for bed. She would come back later and spell her husband so he could get some rest. One or the other was always keeping watch by the bed.

After her mother left, Ana asked me to climb on the bed and hold her. After looking into her pleading eyes, Doctor Thad (as she called him) permitted it without hesitation. The doctors and nurses rearranged the tubes connected to her, making room for me to crawl up and lie beside her. We sang Christmas carols and shared hugs and I read The Night Before Christmas to her.

Several hours passed and the hospital quieted down as I finally asked Ana what she really wanted for Christmas.

Ana's Wish

"I don't want Mommy and Daddy to cwy when I go away," she said softly. "I'm gonna be with Heavenly Father and Jesus and I won't hurt any more."

I told her even I would cry a little bit, because everyone who loved her would miss her. Then I asked her if there was something she wanted for herself and she finally said, very softly, "I want my vewy own star."

A star! What would she do with a star?

"Weww, Baby Jesus has a star tonight and we can wook up at it and see him wooking down at us and we know he wuvs us," she said. "I want a star so I can see you and wuv you all."

Choking back my tears, I promised I'd do what I could.

"Thank you, Santa," she said. "Make sure Davey and Tommy and Shelly get wots of toys and maybe a new baby sister some day."

I hugged her again and once again, with tears in my voice, told her I'd do what I could.

She snuggled in closer and smiling up at me sleepily said, "I wuv you, Santa."

I don't know how long we lay there quietly listening to Christmas carols when suddenly, her father started to cry.

I looked over and he was looking at the monitor. Ana's heartbeat had flatlined.

I lay there for a few more minutes. Then I whispered, "I love you, too, Ana," and got off the bed.

I gave her father a long hug and we said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to welcome a brave little girl who only wanted people to be happy.

As I walked down that suddenly gloomy hallway, I passed nurses and doctors hurrying to Ana's room with tears in their eyes to say goodbye to a beloved little patient.

I walked outside and looked up at the North Star. It may seem silly, but since childhood I've called the North Star the Savior's Star - as I imagined it guiding me on my path back to Him and Heavenly Father. Sometimes in the still of the night, I'll go out and look up to my own private Savior's Star and share my deepest thoughts with Him.

Tonight I wanted to share the loving encounter I'd just experienced with a prayer for a brave and loving little girl. But, as I started to pray with tears in my eyes, I stopped in amazement. I swear I saw a bright new little star nestled closely to the Savior's Star gleaming warmly on that cold Christmas night.

Next to the star of the Child of Peace I thought I saw the smaller, softer star of a child of love.

As I begin another Christmas season making life a little better for others, I do it confidently; for there's a bright little star, Ana's Star, showing me the way.