Santa Claus in the movies

One of the questions I sometimes get asked is if I've seen certain movies about me, and if they are true.

Yes, I have seen many of them, but not all - the violent horror movies I avoid. Of the ones I have seen, none of them are true, though some are well-done and delightful.

The movies all focus on me as magical gift giver. The problem is that Christmas is not just about gift giving as in toys and clothes and such - though the giving of gifts is a good thing. Nor is the day - or me - just about family, or togetherness, or romance, as good as those things are.

Christmas is about the birth of the Messiah. I am called a saint (though I think myself unworthy of the title), and I was in my earthly life a bishop. Religious faith is central to my life and who I am. I pray daily. I go to daily Mass. I keep Jesus in mind in all that I do.

None of the movies I've seen deal with who I really am or the faith aspect that underlies my ministry or Christmas.

But as films, some of them are good. If I had to pick one, my favorite is the old Miracle on 34th Street.

Merry Christmas

Ah ....

The Christmas rush is over, so I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and listening to some Christmas carols played on guitar.

Christmas Mass was good. Father always waits for me to finish my deliveries before he celebrates the last Christmas liturgy. Many of the elves attend as well - the workers, their spouses, their children. Although I am tired, the joy of the celebration fills me with energy. And it's a chance to thank the One whose birthday we mark today (even if it isn't his true birthday).

But now, the weariness is setting in. I have been known to fall asleep in this very chair on Christmas Day.

May it be a blessed and restful day for all of you.