THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412230295
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Santa wept.
He brushed a tear away with a mittened hand, then buckled the leather traces to the collar around Donder's neck.
An excited congregation of elves filled the great sleigh, while their mentor tended the harness. Another tear tumbled from Santa's cheek and splashed near Blitzen's glossy hoof. It turned to ice upon contact with the glistening snow.
Santa stowed his sextant and his charts beneath the worn upholstered seat of the sleigh, along with the hot cocoa Mrs. Claus had given him. He sniffed a bit and reached for the reins.
``It's time to deliver the gifts,'' he said. He tried mightily to add a ``Ho, ho, ho!'' but found he could not. His voice cracked, and a soft sob escaped his throat.
The elves, who had not noticed Santa's sadness before, suddenly fell silent. One touched his boss' red-velvet coat in consolation. How perplexing that he should be morose on such a thrilling night, the glorious night when boys and girls around the world would be anticipating his visit.
``Santa! Santa! Santa!'' they cried. ``Why are you unhappy? On this night you bring beautiful and useful things to so many people. They will be so happy you have come. Surely, you must be filled with bliss on such a night!''
The reindeer pawed the ground impatiently. Somewhere deep in Santa's pack a mama-doll, shifting its position a bit, let out a whine.
``F-f-friends,'' Santa murmured after a while. ``What you say is true. I know it's true. What we do brings people joy. It's a fine thing. I realize that.''
Santa cleared his throat. ``But my heart aches this night for all that is undone. I am saddened by the certain knowledge that the joy we bring with our gifts is incomplete. It is not perfect joy, and I cannot find in myself the power to make it so.
``I can give those who are afflicted amusements to fill their time, but I cannot make their minds and bodies whole.
``I can give an elderly woman enough food for a Christmas feast, but I am helpless to take away the pain of her loneliness.
``I can give children any trinket or toy they can wish for, but I am helpless to give them the kind of happiness that comes from a secure and loving home.
``I can give people everything they need to make them comfortable, but I am powerless to give them anything to make their lives truly meaningful.
``I can give Bibles, but I can't give them faith. I can give books, but I can't give wisdom. I can give love. . . you know I give love. . . but I cannot give peace.
``Each year I leave here with my sack bulging with gaily wrapped packages. And, each year, I am saddened because my gifts are so small and trivial compared to the needs of a hurting world. For all my trying, I cannot deliver the things that matter most. Oh, how I wish I could! But, alas, it will take one greater than I to accomplish that.''
Santa's voice, so full of sorrow, trailed off to a mumble. ``There's work to be done. I must get on with it.''
He drew his fur collar tight around his neck and clicked a signal with his tongue. Santa, the reindeer and the sleigh full of gifts rose into the frigid arctic night.
He was soaring high over Greenland, eastbound, when he first noticed it. It was distinct and bright. Brighter than any other in the sky. A star.
And it didn't show on any of his charts. by CNB