Santa appears at the Woolseys at the beginning of Advent. In the form of vintage Santa postcards.
I began collecting them when my great-grandmother passed. My grandmother gave me a box of old postcards Grandma Richter had accumulated. Hidden in the Texas landmarks lay a slightly creased Santa portrait with a handwritten note from 1908.
Over the years I checked every antique store I stumbled in to. The last few years the collection grew mainly through eBay.
I now have over 75 of cards. Most from 1900-1910. Dressed in coats covering the spectrum from red to pink to purple to blue to green to brown to black. Some fancy schmanzy with gold trim. One showing Santa conversing with Uncle Sam. Most including children and gifts.
The art side of the card paints a variety of images. The writing side of the card does the same.
Revealed are words of love and concern. Checking in. Updates on Uncle Heinrich. Wishing a Merry Christmas to all.
The cursive and print undergird relationships connected with words. The Santa brings a smile to the face. The words bring a smile to the heart.
Even in a digital tsunami words continue to move deeply through our ears and into our souls. They deliver more than simple sound waves or visual impressions.
They create meaning where none previously existed. They mend hearts and soothe spirits. They fill to overflowing life that was once empty.
How wonderful God the Father used words to create all we see.
How even more wonderful God the Son is that Word who creates life in us.