Sharing Christmas

Introduction This is a collection of my original Christmas themed writings, Christmas songs, Christmas cards and Christmas themed poetry that I have created over the years. I started out with simple notes which I enclosed in commercial Christmas cards to my closest friends. Eventually, it evolved over the years into self-designed cards which became very popular. The cards were printed in such a way so as to produce a Christmas card after 2 successive folds of the paper. For the most part, there was usually a picture or graphic on the front, and my song or poem in the middle with a blessing. On the back, I placed my custom identifier to indicate authorship and year of publication. I so enjoyed sharing the spirit and meaning of Christmas, that I would eventually have 500 copies made to hand out each year. Printing a ream of paper was easy but, folding 500 sheets of paper into cards was more labor intensive and time consuming. It was a labor of love, however, and every so often I would manage to channel the spirit of Tom Sawyer and enlist others to help in the “fun” folding activity. Before long, a new Christmas tradition had been born into my life: Christmas card distribution on a massive, yet personal scale. I would hand them out at church during the Christmas season, I’d make sure that everyone where I worked got one, and I’d carry them with me to share with casual acquaintances and complete strangers. While handing them out, some of the most gratifying moments were often unexpected. At the Post Office, during the Christmas rush, I handed one to a postal clerk with the words: “You look like you could use a little Christmas cheer. Merry Christmas!” She broke out crying and related how that was the nicest anyone had been to her all day. I don’t know what else was going on in her life, but that just underscores the power of small unexpected acts of kindness in our world. People will sometimes stop me months later to tell me how much they enjoyed the unique card. And a final example is that many of my co-workers have several years of my cards displayed in their office or cubical. Many of them aren’t even Christian. They appreciate the fact that I include them without bias, they see that I truly believe that the Good News message of Jesus is for everyone, and they can also feel that love and joy in a tangible way. Yes, it’s a bit bold, but you need to be bold, otherwise you don’t get the opportunity to share much of anything with anyone. My prayer is that through my oddball sense of humor, my poetry, my songs, and my Christmas messages that you feel the love, peace, and joy of the spirit of Christmas… no matter what the season. Dave 1 Southern California Christmas Christmas 1997. I believe this was my very first try at a personal Christmas card, but much is lost in the mists of intervening years. I used the Christmas card format, which did not resurface again until the Christmas of 2005. Sadly, the digital copy of this card seems nowhere to be found; not surprising considering all of the system crashes and the evolution of my computing gear. With only a single, surviving printed copy of this card, I’ve decided to ignore everything except the song, transcribed as follows: Southern California Christmas by David Alan Hoag Christmas 1997 Sung to the tune of “The Christmas Song” (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or, as it was originally subtitled, "Merry Christmas to You", when it was written in 1944). With my apologies to Bob Wells and Mel Tormé. Palm trees flaming in the bonfire pit, Bikinied skaters gliding by, Yuletide carols booming out through a box And folks with oxide on their nose. Everybody knows… That palm trees on Redondo Beach All dressed up in twinkling lights Make the beach a cool place to be On California Christmas nights. They know that Santa’s got it made Grand Marshal in the Hollywood Parade, And every working stiff (if they don’t lie) Has got an agent or a PR guy. And so, I’m wishing you this Holiday For every Arnold, Tom, or Meg Though it’s been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas… break a leg. Merry Christmas… to you. The poem was followed by a Christmas blessing/prayer. Surprisingly, I unknowingly used the EXACT same blessing in my 2012 Christmas card! Read ahead if you want to see it. 2 The Night Before Christmas Christmas 2000. This was one of my very first Christmas poems, but was more of an enclosure that was only included in the commercial Christmas cards I sent out to approximately 30 friends. The Night Before Christmas by David Alan Hoag For all his friends; Christmas 2000 ‘Twas the night before Christmas And I’m feeling abashed ‘Cause I can’t get on-line, As my hard-drive has crashed. I’d gotten nice cards From my friends far and wide, And with Christmas approaching There’s no place to hide. Someone out on the porch Gave the doorbell a press. Just a package was there Must be from UPS. Just when my high hopes Had started to sink This hard-disk shows up And a cartridge of ink. Off to my office I flew like a flash To install the hard-disk And to upgrade my cache. I flew straight to my task, Now that I was able To access my data And print out each label. Quick… address and sign them And stamp the right ends. These cards must get out now To all of my friends. As I raced to the mailbox I just noticed the date. Merry Christmas to all… Guess this card will be late. [This preview is a condensation, you'll find a lot more in the book.]