The Santa Hat

Every year, our family takes a Christmas picture. This particular year, we have an addition-- our exchange student.

It was very interesting, I thought for sure, having a 17 year old -- I'd have a fight about the Santa Hat. But, no... not from my new son. He asked "Do I have to wear it in the mall, before we take the picture?" I answered, "Hmmm... ya, we always do."

He just smiled as he walked through the mall to Santa.

No fight, not argument. As a matter of fact, I'd even say he was proud. Proud enough to the very same picture (and the one from last year) on his blog too!

I started to think about the power.. the power of the hat. And last year... when I took it out of the hall closet.

As a looked at the hat, I thought of the whole "do unto others" thing that most religions have.

My husband calls it the wheel theory- put good things on the wheel and when the wheel comes back around good things will happen to you.

For Hindu it is Ahims`a (non-injury) don't harm others by word deed or thought.

In my religion, Christianity, there is a quote from Hebrews that gets me. "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

I have always took this literally, and have done my best to be kind to others. I pondered the whole spiritual care of creation as I held the hat in my hands.

I have been wearing the Santa hat for about 3 years. It's warm, easy to find in the closet, (we have 'bout 10 of them) So I tend to put one and walk out of the house. Usually, by the end of the day, I forget I am wearing a hat that is usually only seen in a cartoon.

On a side note, in years past, with the whole holiday vs Christmas politically correct bull shit that the radio stations and newspapers and televisions keep spitting out- I actually debated on whether or not I should wear the hat. I mean-- what would people think? It could be considered a religious symbol.

Okay, I realize that the Santa hat doesn't really have any "Christian" belief. We all know the Santa concept is a commercial thing and not a St. Nicholas thing these days.

Then there was the whole job thing. With the business I am in (real estate), I follow laws dealing with protected classes-- and religion is a protected class. Was I discriminating against others if I wore my Santa hat? Could I offend someone of another faith? Would it be a customer, or worse yet, a potential costumer? Would I loose business because of a Santa Hat?

I stood in the front hall, holding the hat with all these things going through my head. What should I do? What is the correct decision. The hat felt soft in my hands. I stared at the the red and white fur pile in my hand.

That's when my daughter came up to me and said in her perfect, winy, pre-teen voice-- "Oh no mom! Your not going to ware that thing out of the house, are you? Your not going to take me to school with that on! Please mom, you'll embarrass meeee!"

That was enough. The decision had been made. No question about it - I would have to ware the hat. I put in on, my daughter rolled her eyes, and we were on our way!

As I drove down the street, the folks in the other cars waved, as they always have.

My daughter sank down in the back seat of the car. "They're all looking at you" she grumbled.

"Everybody waves-- every day-- you've never seemed to mind before."

" Yah, but now their smiling." my daughter pouted. "Mom, they look happy."

So the day went. I stopped off at the grocery store to do some shopping.

And it happened.

I turned the from isle 4 to isle 5 with my cart. Around the corner, an unsuspecting shopper was there. And instead of looking away, low and behold, she made eye contact with me! She even giggled.

It happened over and over again. All through the day. Just like that!.

I went to pump gas in the below zero freezing Midwest cold. It started with me standing outside by myself. But then the man in the car across from me got out of his car and started a conversation. Soon, the lady in the car in back of me got out of her car an joined in. They we all were. Strangers in the freezing cold. Standing out side pumping gas and speaking pleasantly to each other. Smiling at each other. Why did they get out of their cars? What was it that compelled them to stand in the cold? Could it be???

At the dentist office, the drug store, in the car, it didn't matter where I was, people were smiling, cheerful, happy -- all for no good reason!

The most moving experiences happened at my visit to the grammar school. I walked in, actually forgetting I had the hat was on my head. There, in the office, I saw two 1st graders. They had just had a visit with the principal. Neither looked too happy. As a mater of fact, they both looked pretty depressed.

One of the boys saw me an asked if I was an elf. I answered in a plain voice, "No, I am just one of Santa's helpers."

That's when the other little guy whispered to me, "Could you give Santa a message for me?"

"What sweety?"

"Could you tell Santa I'll try to be better, and that I love him?"

"I can do that" I replied.

It was hard not to cry in front of him.

My dad called me later that day. He said he had the holiday blues.

I told him to add a Santa hat to his wardrobe.

I've been visited by many angels since I've worn the Santa Hat.

Maybe I have received the ultimate blessing.

Maybe God is working through me during the holiday season.

Maybe, finally, I'll be the angel-- delivering joy and good will.

Wow. What a blessing.

Peace.