As jolly old St. Nick promised, when last we visited his snowy lair, he and his prancing deer are headed our way this beautiful Christmas Eve.  We are to help him on his late night journey of generosity and love—giving to the world not only those material things we enjoy, but also, for those who truly believe, the magical gift of youth.  Knowing of our task, you’ve arrived at my home bundled in layers of your winter woolen’s best.  You find me building my own cloth layers in preparation for our night.  We talk like children wondering if what we’ve dreamed those nights ago will really take place.  As I look at the glimmer in your eyes, a distinct thump, followed by the unmistakable sound of animal hooves resounds above.  We roll open the windows to gain a glimpse, and are pulled upward by a force we cannot explain.  Under other circumstances fear would trouble our hearts, but knowing the source of this power we are instead excited by the upward path we travel to roof’s ridge.  As expected, there sits our bearded friend, sleigh loaded with the bounty we’re to deliver.  He beckons, insisting we move smartly.  We jump in and find our place beside him on the velvet covered bench that stretches the width of his wood and steel conveyance.  With a snap of his whip, that impacts no hide, but rather echoes to let those proud beasts know it is time, we begin to move off firm timber and shingle to the seeming nothingness of air.  By some miracle of physics not divulged by Newton or Einstein we move in a golden cloud from one location to the next with no indication by clock’s hand that time has elapsed.  You and I move gift from large bag to small as Santa enters and as quickly leaves each residence we visit.  Before we barely take a breath we’ve finished traveling the globe and now find ourselves crossing the night sky toward home.  Suddenly, our happy chauffeur pulls back on his reins and points to a particular light in the heavens and says that twinkling comes from the Forever Girl star.  He winks and guides his team to my rooftop.  We jump out and sincerely thank him for sharing his night’s work with us.  He in turn thanks us and as he does that force that earlier lifted us upward now lowers us to the bedroom where we find comfort and warmth under covers of fleece and down.  Our embrace lends itself to sleep and we dream of speeding through skies laced with soft crystalline flake.