SANTA'S SECRET  

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes,
Looked deep into the smiling face of the merry old man...

He said as he nestled on Santa's broad knee,
"I want your secret, Tell it to me."
He leaned up and whispered in Santa's good ear,
"How do you do it, year after year?"

"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts to the children, you never run out.
How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys,
You have plenty for all, of the world's girls and boys?
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large & small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"
And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
 "Don't ask me hard questions. Would you like a new toy?"
But the child shook his head and Santa could see
That he needed the answer so said "Listen to me,"
 He told the small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret is sad but perhaps very wise."

"The truth is simple, my sack has magic inside.
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.
But although I do visit each girl and each boy,
I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.
Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad.
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.
Some homes are broken, and children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what can I leave?"

"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But in homes with despair, toys just aren't enough.
So I tippy-toe in to kiss each girl and boy,
And pray with them, they'll be given the joy,
Of the Spirit of Christmas, the Spirit that lives,
In the heart of each child who gets not, but who gives."

"If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I hope to find there,
Are homes that are filled with peace and with love,
And boys and girls gifted with the light from above.
It's a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some, and give prayers to others.
But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed,
For God has a way of meeting each need."

"That's part of the answer... The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic, And that is the truth."

"The sack never empties of love, nor of joys,
'Cause inside it are prayers, and hopes, not just toys.
The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
'Cause giving is my way of completing all dreams."
"And do you know something? You've got a sack, too.
It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you.
It never gets empty, it's full from the start.
It's the center of light, and of love... It's simply, your heart.
And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don't be so concerned with your gifts 'neath the tree.
Open that sack called your heart, and share,
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth; show you care."

The light in the small boy's eyes started glowing.
"Thanks for the secret. I've got to be going."
"Wait, little boy," said Santa "don't go!
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"
And just for a moment the small boy stood quite still,
 Touched his heart with his hand and whispered, "I will."