They Know Not What They Do: 2006

They Know Not What They Do
written and sung by Andrew Muhlestein

Today I met a preacher.
They said his name was Christ.
I listened to his teachings,
And it opened up my eyes.
I asked a man beside me,
“Who is this chosen one?”
He just smiled back and said,
"God’s only son.”
Then silence fell
As another rose to shout,
“Why should we believe this man?
I still have my doubts!”
The crowd became restless,
Said, “Let’s throw him from this place!”
And as the men chased after him
I saw his face
Saying:

(chorus)
“Father please forgive them,
They know not what they do.
Allow me to save them,
So they’ll make it back to you.
If you can stand to watch it,
I can stand the pain.
Father, hold me up,
So I can lift them back to you again.”

The next time that I saw him,
He was a fugitive.
It seemed his chosen people
Did not want him to live.
So he sought refuge
In Gethsemane.
And for those very people,
He suffered agony.
And then the guards came
To take him away.
But some of his disciples stood in the way.
A flash of confusion,
A guard lost an ear.
Then Jesus healed him
Without an ounce of fear.
Saying:

(chorus)
“Father please forgive them,
They know not what they do.
Allow me to save them,
So they’ll make it back to you.
If you can stand to watch it,
I can stand the pain.
Father, hold me up
So I can lift them back to you again.”

I had to turn away
As I heard the cattails crack.
But I saw the scars
left on my Savior’s back.
I tried to gain composure
To be as strong as lead.
But I was finally broken
When the thorns pierced his head.
“No!” I screamed,
As I fought through the crowd
To meet his feet.
And when I finally reached him,
He just looked up at me.
Today I met my Savior.
His name is Jesus Christ.
As I watched him die for me,
He looked into my eyes
Saying:

(chorus)
“Father please forgive them,
They know not what they do.
Allow me to save them,
So they’ll make it back to you.
If you can stand to watch it,
I can stand the pain.
Father, hold me up,
So I can lift them back to you again.”

Christmas Morning: 2006

Christmas Morning. Children of all ages all over the world open their presents. It's the end of the big night. Santa deserves a rest.He's been busy all year but now he has some other things to do. After a short vacation he has a very important job ahead with all the elves in his family.Christmas 2007 is a long way away but it is never too early to be on the Nice List.Santa wants you! Be nice to all you meet. Happy Birthday, Jesus. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good morning.

Song of an Angel: 2006

It doesn't have to be on the night of the greatest birth of all time that we hear the voice of an angel. Some times in our day we hear angels sing of the man who changed all of our lives forever. Such was our pleasure.
Above All Powers
On the CD by Michael Smith
Sung for us by Rex Muhlestein

Above all powers,
Above all kings,
Above all nature and all created things;
Above all wisdom and all the ways of men,
You were there before the world began.

Above all kingdoms,
Above all thrones,
Above all wonders the world has ever known;
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth,
There's no way to measure what You're worth.

Crucified,
Laid behind the stone;
You lived to die, rejected and alone;
Like a rose trampled on the ground,
You took the fall and thought of me above all!

I am Santa's Son: 2006

We've talked before about believing in Santa and if you believe, it is real. Can you imagine the feelings of those in his family? One member put it in a song.
Father Christmas
Written and sung by Andrew Muhlestein

When I was young I believed;
I remember very well.
While staring at the Christmas tree
I could nearly hear sleigh bells.
Santa was a family friend.
With us he took his time.
He’d take his paper and a pen
and leave a letter every time.
He’d talk about our family’s year
and all that we had done.
I’d wonder how he could hear
and see all our fun.

(chorus)
You see Father Christmas is a story just for some.
But I get to be Father Christmas’ son.
Some people think Santa Claus is pretend.
But to me Santa Claus is both father and friend.

As I grew and made new friends
I heard it wasn’t true.
How could he be pretend
after all I’d seen him do?
They said it was my dad and mom
that made all this so.
That it was them all along;
it was all one big show.
I believed them, seeing then
the impossibilities.
Until the day I began
to see similarities.

(chorus)
You see Father Christmas is a story just for some.
But I get to be Father Christmas’ son.
Some people think Santa Claus is pretend.
But to me Santa Claus is both father and friend.

My father’s beard was awfully close
and then there was his belly.
He seemed to have a rosy nose,
when he laughed he shook like jelly.
His voice was deep and filled with joy.
You could feel the warmth he’d send.
With every girl and every boy,
you could see the love he’s spread.
Now I’m a dad and
it is known he’s been Santa all my life.
The clarity of this has grown
when I see his loving wife.

(chorus)
You see Father Christmas is a story just for some.
But I get to be Father Christmas’ son.
Some people think Santa Claus is pretend.
But to me Santa Claus is both father and friend.

As I look into my children’s eyes,
and see the joy he brings out,
I plainly start to realize
there was never any doubt.

(chorus)
You see Father Christmas is a story just for some.
But I get to be Father Christmas’ son.
Some people think Santa Claus is pretend.
But to me Santa Claus is both father and friend.

Santa's Family: 2006

When Santa's family
gets together
they do what
most other
families do:
Visit, eat,
open gifts and have a program.
Elves of all ages
perform their
many talents.
One thing is
for sure--
every one puts
their best chin forward.

It's Always Sad: 2006

It's always sad when the season comes to an end. We visited two families today with traveling time between them.The first had many children and of course they were all excited to get their turn with Santa. The last four boys to get their presents had a real surprise on their hands. They opened their presents together at the same time the adults in the room opened envelopes. It was all an announcement that their mom was expecting a baby. Everyone was so excited. What a thrill!We left there and drove to the next town. We had some time so we stood on a street corner and waved to the cars going by. They honked back. We drove around to see the lights. We stopped at a few places to tell them we liked their decorations. One house had a sleigh and reindeer with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. We asked if we could get a closer look. They all ran out with us and took our picture in their bare feet.Another house had almost every square inch of yard lit up. The owner was so excited to see us. There was a sign that said, "Santa, stop here." And so we did. She was moved to tears of joy.

We saw many kinds of things as we drove around: nativities, snowmen, reindeer, Santa Clauses. There were all kinds of lights. They were all so beautiful, we only had time to stop at a few and tell them how their efforts made us feel so joyful.Finally we made it to our very last stop--some people very dear to our hearts. Songs were sung.Presents were handed out.Reassurances were given that everyone should be on the "Nice List". They invited us to a Christmas supper. Their tradition each year was to have steak, salad, bread and potato boats. Everything was so precise, elegant and festive. We had a good time there.As we finished and left there it was sad to know it was our last one. As we approach the New Year we wonder, as we do every year, "What will this year bring?" It has been fun.Tomorrow is the big day. One more party--our family party, attended by elves of all types. We are excited and looking forward to it.Maybe you didn't know that Santa has a family--a very large one, in fact. And oh, how we love them. Just like you do your own families.

As the Season: 2006

As the season winds down the present year blends with all those that came before. We have so many wonderful memories.We remember the Girl's and Boy's club and the little boy who wanted a coat for his mom. We remember Santa dancing ballet with a little girl who wanted dancing shoes and taking a karate stance with a young boy who wanted lessons.We remember Trolley Square and how Santa got a group of girls tap dancing. He gave attention to children of all ages. We remember a church party where Santa wore a huge cowboy hat.We remember the Homeless Shelter where a young girl wanted a home, and a man needed a heart transplant. We prayed for them.We remember Santa kneeling before a baby representing Jesus. We remember the little girl in the grocery store who saw him and yelled out, "It's you!" and ran to him and hugged him.We remember working in the mall and how Santa rode in on a bicycle with tinker toy antlers and a red nose on his bike.We remember Wheeler's farm and Festival of Trees.We remember how I struggled at times with an identity crisis, but learned to love Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the end.We remember the young girl who had no arms but explored Santa's face with her feet.We remember all the home, church and company parties we were at--so many Christmas Memories. These are wonderful memories. Thank you for the memories--the marvelous Santa Memories.

A Family of Love: 2006

We went to a home of some wonderful people. The parents have had their own natural children and have, over the years, had several foster children--some with special needs--some of whom they have adopted. They are very special parents.It reminded me of a picture someone made of our family once. It shows each member of the family with some kind of injury, but they are all smiling. They are loved and they are survivors of the not so pleasant side of life. They have each other.The parents of this family that we visited have gone out of their way to help others. They are full of the highest form of love--unconditional. On this birthday of our Savior I imagine that He is very proud of them. May their lives be blessed.

Let Me Pay: 2006

You know,

Santa draws attention wherever he goes

and he loves it.

He had ridden his motorcycle

to work in full gear

and now he wanted to go to

supper that way.

He finally settled

for casual Santa cloths.We went to Kowloon's and drew the attention of several people. Some parents brought their children up to say "hi". Santa greeted them warmly. When it came time to pay our bill, the waitress said that that man had paid 1/3 of our bill and would have paid it all but that was all he had. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Far Away: 2006

Loved ones are sometimes far away and missed very much.



We don't get to see them play dress-up or some other exciting activity.



It is especially hard on grandmas and grandpas.



But where ever they are we know they are loved and that they love us, too.

Sending hugs and kisses to you! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

That Special Kiss: 2006

We've talked about smiles. We've talked about hugs. But we haven't talked about what happens under the mistletoe. A picture says a thousand words.Be sure you find some mistletoe and share the space beneath it with your special someone. Smack!

Santa Gives a Tribute: 2006

Farnsworth Elementary. Couples. A festive supper and drawing. Santa had an elf--one dear to his heart. I was there also. Santa's introduction was a bit different from the usual. Of course he still picked one poor soul to embarrass with the Rudolph song. He picked the principal. She was a good sport as she put on the antlers and red nose.The part he added was a tribute to them as teachers. He is with children every day but the work they do with children is priceless. We have talked privately about the struggle teachers have.

Wouldn't it be great if every athlete, who made millions would donate one million to teachers. They could be Santa's elves too. And of course the rest of us could help where we are able, according to our means. Thank you, teachers, everywhere, for the work that you do. You're on Santa's Nice List!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cranberries: 2006

He was very intent on an answer to his question and moved to the front of the line so he could ask it. "Santa, why do you wear cranberries on your head?"Santa took the time to explain: "Well, you know there are many things I wear and tonight I have my Father Christmas outfit on. It's from England, you know, and these berries are holly berries--not cranberries." He gave the boy a wink and a twinkle and he left satisfied.

Naughty or Nice: 2006

Children are full of mischief. It is part of being a child. Naughty or Nice. Observe that Santa's lists have nothing to do with being good or bad. All children are good.Santa often tells children--unless they volunteer that they are on the Naughty List--that they are on the Nice List.But, he is quick to add that there is still time before Christmas to get on the Naughty List if you aren't careful. Naughty or Nice. Which one are you?Now remember, you can't "Lion" about this one. Santa knows.

Can I Have a Puppy?: 2006

He was shy but he had a heartfelt wish. His voice was barely audible but he said, "Santa, can I have a puppy?"Santa had suggestions about this. "I tell you what. Why don't you ask your mom or dad to take you to a place like the Humane Society where you and your puppy can find each other. Then on Christmas Eve I can bring you a puppy bed or toy or treat. Would that be O.K.?" It was.There are people in this world who have a lot of love to give to animals. God bless them for that.

Guten Tag: 2006

She had missed the Christmas party because of work and was very sad. Her mother asked that Santa and I visit her at work and take a gift..That was tricky because we had to walk in a parking lot full of people. We stopped if there were children involved.One woman stopped us and asked if her friend from Germany could get a picture with us. Santa broke into German and I followed with the little I knew. It took her completely by surprise. The picture was taken, the daughter was visited and we went on our merry way--Merry of course.

My Wish: 2006

It was a family party--about 25 children of all ages...babies, toddlers, teenagers. Santa listened to all their wishes. He told them he never promises, but he will bring something meant for them to have.One strapping young man--about 16--sat on Santa's lap. When it came time to give his wish he blurted out, "I want a cell phone and to be put back on the insurance (car)."