Magical Caroling Christmas People

Santa and his train 

    Every Christmas Eve for the last 25 or more years on the streets of North Hollywood and Taluca Lake during the time when  tiny tots find it hard to sleep and mom and dad finish wrapping the presents the Magical Christmas Caroling Truck comes to town. Santa in his sleigh, er.. ah train,  is accompanied by a very large truck filled with carolers and followed by at least 11 ladies dancing. The whole procession, for 6 to 7 hours, goes up and down the neighborhoods to the great delight of all who dwell along Santa's run.
     Of course the wonderful residents along the route line their front yards and intersections where the truck often stops and the carolers and dancers put on their magical show of Christmas cheer and expectations that warms every heart and brings to mind once again the real meaning of why we celebrate Christ's birth. They sing and dance to songs that ring in our hearts and minds and deck the halls of our memory of great Christmases past, present and those still to come.

Dancers dancing

      And the birthday celebration goes on along back streets of a Los Angeles suburb and, I am sure and reassured every Christmas Eve, that it is happening along the roads, streets and neighborhoods of  middle America. I know this for sure because I have had the privilege of driving our support vehicle following and watching the movable celebration. As I roll past the crowds, they are standing,  basking in the after glow of the truck. When I pass by it is easy to see how wonderfully touched and equally grateful all the people are. I am one of the lucky recipients of all their gratefulness. As I wave and wish them a last "Merry Christmas", I hear, "Thank you so much you made our Christmas", "I wait all year for this time", "God bless you all" and on it goes. America expressing gratitude not to me,  and really not to the show itself, but to the heart being expressed that they identify with. There is so much in the news, however you get it, that paints America and the world as a dark, ugly, glacier melting event. Sometimes it can leave us thinking that good and goodness, has hidden itself in a cave. But as I watch everyone as they come out of their homes and stand arm in arm, husbands and wives, boys and girls, friends and lovers, I know that goodness is alive and living in the hearts and in the homes along the streets of North Hollywood and Taluca Lake. That the warm home fires are still burning with hope and faith for tomorrow. And I feel that this is reflective of the true America and the real meaning of Christmas. "And so I'm offering a simple phrase, to kids from 1 to 92, although it's been said, many times, many ways", let this be a very meaningful Christmas to you.