A Christmas Legend

(Why we place an angel atop the Christmas tree)

Long, long ago, while still a young man and only beginning to establish himself as a holiday icon, Santa Claus did not have access to all the fine new equipment and facilities he now enjoys. As he and the elves worked to make toys and prepare for his long Christmas ride, he often had to make do with old well-worn equipment.

One memorable Christmas Eve, found Santa haggard and weary. He was running late and was anxious to load up the sleigh and get started. Grabbing his great sack from a shelf, he filled it with toys and flung it over his shoulder and started for the door. No sooner had the sack touched his back the when the sudden weight of the toys caused the old stitching to give way and the toys fell crashing to the floor. Furious, Santa muttered an oath under his breath and yelled for an elf to help sew up the sack and help him on his way.

The sack mended and once again filled with toys, Santa headed out the door where the elves had his sleigh and reindeer all hitched up and ready to go. He tossed the sack of toys into the back of the sleigh but the added weight was too much for the old crate and it collapsed under the sudden load. Cursing loudly, Santa screamed for his elves to get the sleigh repaired so he could he could get started.

At last the old sleigh was patched back together and made ready for Santa's trip. Santa strode angrily out of the house, stomped over to the sleigh and placed one foot on the running board to climb in. But alas the running board had seen better days and snapped off under his weight leaving Santa face down in the snow. In a rage, Santa grabbed the broken running board and throwing it violently against the house jumped into the sleigh, grabbed the reins and... just then, an angel came down the road carrying a Christmas tree saying “Hey Santa, where do you want me to put this tree?”

      - Mark