A PROPOSAL & a MARRIAGE!
http://www.santashope.com/2012b.php

Early in December 2012, Kevin F. called me to request a special visit for his fiance and himself. Kevin wanted to propose to his fiance, Deborah, and wanted Santa to deliver the engagement ring to her.  It was intended to be a grand surprise. On December 22, I met Kevin F. & Deborah C. at a wonderful restaurant in downtown Dallas where he had taken her for dinner. 

     As planned, Santa would go from table to table talking to guests of the restaurant and passing out candy canes and would work my way over to Kevin & Deborah's table. Deborah did not know I was actually there for her.  As I got closer to their table, she began waving, attempting to get my attention anyhow. Finally, I made it to their table, gave them each a candy cane and talked with them about Christmas plans. 

     As I prepared to leave, Deborah made a comment, wondering what else might be in my bag. I turned and handed her and Kevin a reindeer button, which she was delighted with and thanked me.  And then as I was preparing to turn and leave, I said, "Oh wait, there is something else in here for you." I then handed Kevin the ring box and he began his proposal.  Deborah said "Yes!" 

In early June, Kevin F. called me to say that he and Deborah wanted me to perform their wedding since I was an ordained pastor.  I heartily agreed.

     On August 16th, along the shoreline of Turtle Creek in Dallas, I married Kevin & Deborah. In a quiet ceremony among family and close friends, and a badelynge/a bunch/a brace/a flock/a paddling/a raft/ a team or a dover of ducks, I married them. 

     There were no turtles seen that day. 

     Deborah makes a beautiful bride and together they make a very handsome couple.

Santa Kevin

Never out of Season

I was on a book tour this week and at one point stopped at a Christmas tree farm.  It was the middle of the week, but the parking lot was packed out and at one end sat a couple of school buses.  Children and parents were all over the place.  I've been in situations like this before and know how easy it is for Santa to be mobbed as children see him.  Somehow, I had to get from my four cylinder sleigh to the barn without a lot of attention.  As I considered how to do this, my wife called and wondered how I was doing, so I told her of my predicament.  She laughed.  She thought it was pretty funny.

She was about to have even more to laugh about.  As I prepared to get out of my car, another two school buses full of kids pulled into the lot and parked directly across from me.  Every window on my side of the buses had eyes and noses pressed against it looking at me.

It is part of the territory of being Santa.  Doesn't matter what time of year, or where you are at.  I've had children turn around in church and wave at me and whisper back and forth all giggly.  Frankly, I get a lot of attention from grown adults, too. 

So what do I say to  people and children who stop me?  I tell them a little about who Nicholas was and why he was so beloved.  And then I ask them if they are secret-givers like Santa, people who look out for others in need and give to them.  Being a secret-giver is more about who we are and who we follow.  Nicholas was a believer in Jesus and from that love, he learned to love others and give unselfishly to others. 

Being a secret-giver is never out of season.  It can be done anytime, anywhere and to anyone who is in need.  It is one of the true joys of being human. 

So let the children come.  I have a wonderful message to tell to anyone willing to listen. 

Oh, and, Merry Christmas!