Every year around Christmas our church would have a dinner for all of the ward members. There was always a talent show to enjoy while we ate. The talent show was performed by some of the ward members and often was a family and/or someone singing or playing the piano.At the end of the night all the children would gather around the base of the stage and wait for Santa Claus. I remember listening for the sound of his jingle bells as he ran into the church house and onto the stage.
All of the children would form a line on the stage and wait their turn to sit on Santa's lap. I remember being excited to sit on his lap, so I could tell him what I wanted for Christmas. Santa would then hand over a brown paper sack which contained peanuts (in their shells), an orange, and a candy cane.
As a child I looked forward to the ward Christmas dinner every year just so I could see Santa Claus. Now that I am older I find it strange the church would have Santa Claus visit. I feel Santa Claus is too commercialized and takes away the true meaning of Christmas and removes us from the spirituality. I feel he doesn't belong at a church event. I would rather have the church focus on Christ and his birth.
NOTE: The picture above is of me and my two older sisters (Rebecca is wearing a blue dress and Teresa is wearing a pink dress). I believe the picture was taken in 1969, when I was three years old.
2 comments:
It sent me down memory lane. I suddenly remembered the bells and the sack of peanuts and such. So nice. Thank you.
Santa used to be so magical. I agree that he's WAY too commercialized now. It's sad. (SIGH) How I long for my childhood days...
Post a Comment