Pondering Peace on Earth, good will towards men

With the holidays approaching, it seems like it’s time my mind began pondering the reason for the season, and peace on earth, good will towards man. If I was to summarize, it would basically state, “there’s almost none. The End.” My mind won’t allow me to summarize though. My thoughts are always swirling around in overdrive. I either get them written down or they will linger along with all the new thoughts filtering in and my cup will runneth over.

There are some who practice good will towards men year round and they attempt to make or keep peace in their daily lives and the lives of others, while others only manage it during holiday seasons. With each passing year, I find myself wanting to do more for others year round. Spring thru Autumn, I seek worthwhile benefits, motorcycle runs, meat raffles, events that help someone else. Some are planned in advance and others are added as they materialize. I attempt to do a lot of the planning for a couple events annually. Such things bring me peace and happiness.

This time of year, when Thanksgiving is approaching, followed by Christmas, my hope is that there will be an opportunity to don my red jacket and bring some joy to others. I look forward to this all year long and am grateful for any chance I get. I don’t put on a red jacket and pretend to be Santa Claus. There is magic for some in the jacket. When the jacket goes on, I AM Santa. My heart fills with joy. I smile easier. There are others I know who don the red jacket. I know a few who are disabled Veterans. When the jacket goes on, at least a couple of them ARE Santa Claus. It’s an annual Christmas miracle. The joy shows in their smiles, the twinkle in their eyes. There are others who simply dress up as Santa, go thru the motions especially if it’s for paid gigs. Some, actually a lot, too many, put on fake beards, play pretend, get paid, forget to bring the magic of the season along with them in their hearts. They miss the whole point of being Santa Claus. Santa does for others with love in his heart, and he does it year round even if many don’t notice because he’s incognito most of the year.

I would never and could never charge a Veteran’s post or a firehall for being there in my red suit, for being there as Santa Claus. Too me, that would be immoral, unethical, and just plain wrong. If I was going to charge for spreading joy to others, I went off the rails at some point. We are called to lift others up, to spread peace from our hearts to others, to truly practice goodwill towards all. I have witnessed others bragging about all their gigs, even to one who struggles to find charity gigs. It makes me ponder, is the reason it’s a struggle to find gigs because others who don the jacket to make money, are going to places where the gigs should be volunteer opportunities, and selling themselves as Santa for a price? These people are not Santa. They are imposters who tarnish the whole reason for the season. They ruin Christmas for the ones who have hearts filled with joy, the ones seeking chances to share that joy. For me, the smiles are payment. That will never change.

Christmas and the holidays overall aren’t meant for bragging, for receiving material gifts. It is the season of giving and it should be year round. People who don’t understand this to their core would probably send a picture of a new vehicle to someone they know is having a lot of vehicle issues and expenses. Want to lose respect from me, brag. Pretend to be Santa while looking glum in the red suit instead of joy filled. My heart is filled with joy and a desire to give, with the red jacket on, and without. This is who I am. I may be the one gig wonder Santa, but the difference between myself and some others is, I AM Santa Claus year round. I don’t like many people, but I love everyone.

17 November 2025