The iconic Santa Clause of my youth was captured in the Coca Cola advertisements that were always full page color, inside the back cover of Time & Life magazines. *”…he was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf….”

My mother gave me the Santa in the photo above in 1972. It is my most treasured Christmas decoration. She never would buy frivolous things like this for herself, yet she loved them, and she knew I did too. When I remove it from the original box, tears well. I kiss it, remember Mom, and put this Santa in a place of distinction.

The rustic carved wood Santa above, a gift from my hubby, gave me courage to try my hand at carving wood elves. The two I carved, below, were influenced by our visit to France (notice the nose!).

Over the years I’ve come to see many representations of Santa Claus/St. Nicholas from different cultures, and love them all; tall and skinny, short and round, woodsmen, monks, all elves with one goal – spread joy at the darkest time of the year.

*”As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky, so up to the housetop the coursers they flew, with a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too.”

Sending greeting of glad tidings and the hope for joy in the future. Here in the USA, my friends and I are breathing a sigh of relief that 2020 is nearly behind us, and we keep faith that our new President and administration will help our nation heal, as we move into 2021.

*A Visit from St. Nicholas, Clement C. Moore

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate onward. Mask-up and stay safe.🐾

https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2020/12/18/lens-artists-challenge-128-and-here-comes-the-holiday-season/