Christmas Letter 2020
Christmas Greetings, Friends,
To call this year a difficult one would be not only an understatement but certainly pointing out the obvious as well. There's not a lot of events to relate under the heading of “things I did this year”. What did transpire was a streak of productivity that is nothing short of remarkable – and I'm the first to recognize that I dare not take total credit for it. As I'm fond of saying regarding this outpouring – the Spirit has been busy. Since April 1st, as of December 9th, I've written, and posted on Facebook, 44 brand new songs. It is without a doubt the most prolific streak I've ever had. It also has been a saving grace for me. Being able to write songs as a response to the current craziness of the world has made a huge difference in how I've survived. As a result of my songwriting I've been able to maintain some sense of purpose, to view my songs as my way of trying to add something positive to the mix. And in some cases, maybe even minister to people through them. In addition, it's been a bonus, having an immediate audience for them which has fed the desire to write more and so the writing has fed the posting and the posting has fed the writing, etc.
I thought I'd share a piece this year that I posted as a recitation on Facebook a few weeks ago. It is my way of sharing a longing to see the best of the season taking center stage, as opposed to the chaos and darkness that is trying to usurp all the goodness of what Christmas represents.
Speaking of such, I actually had a kind of “aha” moment the other night when I was out with some friends – quite a rarity these days – at a pizza place. While I was waiting for them show up the piped in music played the Andy Williams hit, “Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. In a knee jerk sort of fashion my thoughts went to thinking “what joke” that is this year. Then … I stopped and reconsidered my reaction. True, this Christmas doesn't feel that wonderful but the season itself still is. All that's good about Christmas is still just as good even if it's kind of buried this year. A baby's birth, a birth that changed the world is still worth celebrating, isn't it? I would say yes it is.
So in the spirit of all that, here is this year's contribution.
If I Could be Santa Claus
If I could be Santa Claus
Now I don't mean dress up like Him
Put on the suit, the beard, the cap
And just pretend to be
No I mean if I could somehow
Bridge the make believe gap
Between dreams and reality
Not question how such things can happen
Just simply let myself get caught up
In a world where
I could live the fantasy
If I could be
Santa Claus
I know toys can't always
Fix a broken heart
But it's a start
And I promise you
I would do my very best
To do my part
So every single child
Who had a Christmas wish
Who, believing filled out
Their very own Christmas list
Would discover beneath their tree
A present straight from me
No one would be forgotten
No one would be forsaken
Come Christmas morn
As the new day dawned
Every hopeful child would awaken
To know that I'd been there
That Santa loved them
Santa cared
No tears but only smiles
For every child
In this troubled world
Plenty to eat on Christmas day
For every boy and every girl
There would be so much joy and laughter
The angels would be singing
Harking all their heralds
'Till the Heavens would be ringing
And of course, I'd pay attention
I wouldn't dare forget
I'd be quick to mention
Whose birthday it really is
Not my holiday, but His
If I could be Santa Claus
I promise you this
As I delivered every present
I'd remember the greatest gift
Came from up above
A tiny baby in a manger
Wrapped up
Like a Christmas surprise
Because of Our Father's boundless love
If I could be Santa Claus
Though I am just a man
I'd try and understand
What it means to give of yourself
So that each and every little one
Would know they are loved
And I'd smile as watched
Their hearts filling up
For on this day
Christmas day
Every child would
Have more than enough
What a miraculous blessing
That would be for me
If I really and truly
Could be
Santa Claus
George Gagliardi, December, 2020