As a young child, the magic of Christmas made all things seem so perfect.

Santa was some real awesome guy who pulled off amazing feats to get all his work done. And I believed that if ever there was a miracle worker, it was Santa. After all, he specially made all the toys that we wanted, and that big sleigh of his managed to fly around the whole world bouncing from roof top to roof top, sliding down chimney, after chimney. How does he fit all that stuff in there? And how does he get it all done? I’ve heard of jumping through hoops – but Santa really goes way above and beyond, quite literally, in a young child’s imagination.

So, do kids believe that all things are possible through Santa? I believed, and I still believe – but my belief has come down to earth over the years. It’s the spirit of Santa that must come alive in all of us to make this collective worldly effort happen. Together, we all can cover the world with Christmas joy. But it will get real messy first, at least in my house.

My husband has been threatening to call the board of health this past week for unfit living conditions. Somehow, the perpetual dusting of flour, sugar, melted chocolate on stove and counter tops, coexisting with the mountain of mail, mixed with shedding needle fir branches all over the kitchen table (I can make wreaths and centerpieces in between batches of cookies!), gift wrapping scattered in the dining room, laundry in various stages all around the house, a half-decorated Christmas tree and the boxes of ornaments that go with it, all prompted my husband, the methodical engineer, to say: “Can’t you just finish one task before you move onto then next?”

Heck, no. I’ve got lofty visions. These high-flying ideas come down to earth eventually – Santa, has taught me that. Bah, humbug, I say. Jump into the mess of it all. It’s got to get better, because Christmas is right around the corner. And when Christmas comes, somehow, all things feel right with the world, or at least, for the moment, it may shed a brighter outlook for those whose life is less than perfect.

It is this time of year where a greater effort is made to think of everyone. Above all, Christmas is about love of fellow man, and you need not go too far to share the joy Christmas with someone – stranger, friend, family member. From a holiday smile to a helping hand, it seems that people make a greater effort to go out of their way at Christmas.

Perhaps Santa encourages us to think big and globally, but act locally. A lot can be done quite simply in your home, neighborhood or community to spread the spirit of Santa and the love of Christmas to all. The sleigh need not be loaded with lots of stuff.

As St. Maximilian Kolbe’s parish hall filled with Christmas for Project GRACE families this past week, it would have appeared that Santa’s workshop worked like clockwork. Scarborough’s Cumberland Farms had donated bread and baked goods, Black Point Inn donated Christmas decorations, and countless community members and area businesses had provided gifts. Christmas perfection was before your eyes.

But behind the scenes was a greater truth – things were not as perfect as they had appeared. Nine additional families asked for assistance at the last moment, and more gifts were needed. Volunteers received wish lists from families; gifts ranging from haircuts to groceries, with gas cards and auto maintenance sprinkled in between, Santa’s job wasn’t done. Area businesses provided still more – no item was to be missed on the list, as large companies jumped through corporate hoops to provide modest gifts.

Christmas calls each of us to offer our best gifts and be Santa to the world. He is alive and well when everyone works together. On his own, Santa’s job is a daunting task, but working together, anything is possible. Each year I tell my husband that the only thing that I want for Christmas is a clean house. Now that’s a simple gift. I’m sure that Santa won’t let me down.

Merry Christmas!