Dear Maggie —

We are bubbling over with anticipation for Christmas and all the joy that it brings in our house this week!  I even have found myself excited for the holiday more than usual – no Scrooge or Grinch this year – I’m all Mary Christmas these days!!  I’ve gone a little ultra with my decorations and baking – and our Elf has been working overtime.   I know Fr. John talked about the fact that Advent is all about waiting – but honestly, we’re struggling with that concept.  My daughter, Virginia, can hardly contain herself – and CANNOT WAIT for Christmas to come.  So, she wanted me to write to you to find out if you could confirm any details or had any inside scoop about Santa Claus – is he real?

— Anticipatory Annie

Dear Anticipatory —

Paige here – Maggie’s assistant – I’m taking care of Maggie’s column once again while she is away.  I’m telling you… I love my boss, but trying to keep track of where she’s jetting off to next has become a full-time job.  I guess at least I have job security.

So, to answer your question, I am most happy to report that yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (wait – where have I heard that before?? 🤔).  I know this for a fact because that is who Maggie is with right now!  She always heads up to the North Pole this time of year to help Santa get everything ready for the big trip on Christmas Eve.  St. Nicholas – Nick, as she calls him – has been a good friend of hers for years now.  She even vacations with him down in Miami on his usual travels right after the holiday – you know, even the big guy needs a little R&R after that transcontinental flight each year.  Besides, she may not be any Megan Thee Stallion, but you could say that Maggie is a master-wrapper of sorts.  I guess once you get used to wrapping presents in burlap and bark and things like that, you become an expert when it comes to simple paper and ribbon.  So, Santa really appreciates her skills and puts Maggie to work late each December.

But even though Maggie is not with us currently at St. Margaret’s this holiday season, she wanted to give you all her best wishes for a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!  She’ll pop in on Christmas Eve to see the Archbishop at 10 PM Mass after she finishes getting Nick out the door on his journey, so you may see her back just in time for Christmas before she heads out to FL the next day.  And she will still check out your messages – text is probably best right now – if you need a good word put in with Santa.  However, Maggie does confirm that Nick is pretty all-knowing already – with that whole seeing you when you’re sleeping, knowing when you’re awake, and the bad and good stuff.  So, probably best to just be good for goodness sake.

Have a very Merry Christmas – from all of us at Maggie’s office (not to be confused with her closet)!

— Paige