Marti gave you her perspective on Wednesday night’s Isaiah House Christmas for women without homes, but I don’t think anyone can touch the experience I had looking through the eyes of Santa Claus.
Of course the roll of Santa fell to me. Someone had to pass out the gifts, and I have been the source of entertainment for the last few Women of Vision dinners, an elaborate gesture that comes from being the husband of Marti Fischer, and one willing to do whatever she says (it’s her event, at least I think it is).
So I donned my red and white suit, strapped on my beard and hair and took to “Ho-ho-ho”ing through the food line and out the kitchen door to the patio where most of the women eat and some sleep for the night. After leading a few rounds of carols, I announced it was time for everyone to get out their little bubble-makers and start blowing bubbles. (It was the closest thing you could get to snow in southern California.) As soon as I announced that we had to have plenty of bubbles or else Santa’s sleigh wouldn’t arrive, they all stepped up their bubbling, and by golly, Marti was right: it did look like it was snowing.
Then I gave the signal to my two elves (Chandler and his friend Ryan) to open the back gate where our friend Lane was waiting with the bed of his big diesel pickup completely full of gift bags, 120 of then to be exact, mostly all provided by you. As he backed into the patio, I jumped up into the truck and rode it in, waving and shouting “Merry Christmas!” and “Ho ho ho!”
I had wondered what would happen next, worried that most of them might keep their distance and wait for me to bring them their gifts. But no, they flocked to me like children, wide-eyed and yet still tentative, only because they couldn’t believe it was all really for them. So one at a time, I thrust two bags into their arms with a “Merry Christmas!” and they received them with a certain amount of disbelief, as if this couldn’t possible be right. Santa must have gotten the wrong address. We’re all bad; we don’t deserve this. And then one by one, to a woman, each one said brightly and genuinely, “Thank you, Santa!”
And I wish you could have seen their faces when they said it. It’s all I need for ten Christmases, just to remember those faces. Bright, happy, almost stunned with joy without a shred of cynicism or doubt. It was as if each one was saying with her eyes, “For me?”
As I made the rounds later, they were reading and re-reading the cards you included, cherishing the personal messages from strangers, no longer estranged.
“Santa,” someone cried out, “Barbara needs a hug.” So I went over and gave Barbara a big Santa hug and felt her sobbing in my arms. Oh no, I thought, what have we done now. Then she said, “These are mostly good tears.” Relieved, I looked for more of an explanation. “This is good stuff!” She said in disbelief, as she looked over her new boxed set of hair and body products; and with that comment, I realized why she cried. Someone had treated here with respect and dignity. Someone had given her what they would have chosen for themselves, not something discarded, or something no one else wanted.
And somehow I think, even if for just that moment, these women all felt the same way… chosen, not discarded.
John Fischer The Catch 
Thanks for the look through Santa’s eyes… did Santa have tears in his eyes like I do after reading about it? Beautiful. Thanks for sharing… and thanks for the story.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL
I have been following this Christmas story at Isaiah but didn’t send a gift or message because I live in the Dominican Republic and post is difficult blah, blah, blah but next year I want to be a part of this for sure, even if I send you the money and an email attachment to print, as I want to be a part of this wonderful outpouring of love.
We try to do the same here with street children and with orphans in Haiti but God is good and there is enough to go around. The way John and Marti describe the joy that springs forth, how could anyone not want to share God’s blessings. This has all moved me very much, thank you!
I was moved to tears after reading how well received this wasby the ladies at Issiah House. I was very honored to play a small part by sending a gift. Marti’s idea inspired me to do something similar (on a much smaller scale) at a home for abused women in my own hometown. Thanks to both of you for having a heart for these women.
Wow! It’s amazing to hear about these women and the hope that they have. I can identify with them a lot more than I would like to admit at times. When you said they felt “Chosen not discarded” it reminded me of my personal struggles with what God calls me to be. All my life I have felt discarded and God tells me I am chosen….the hardest part sometimes is believing that. Life wears us down, makes us feel like “less” than what God calls us to.
Thanks for the reminder
Well done, John and Marti. God has blessed you both, may he continue to bless your ministry.
As I sit here this morning reading this Catch, I, too, am crying. And they are ALL “good tears.” When I realize there are still millions of Americans who care about others I am amazed by what God can do.
Thank you John, Marti, Chandler, Ryan, and everyone who donated. You truly represent what this country was founded upon- the love of Christ.
Such a blessing– Thank you.
Thank you John and Marti, not only for all you did Wednesday night and all that you do but for also including Chandler and his friend Ryan (and us!) and showing them the importance of giving back to the community. You are wonderful parents and role models. I wish I could have been there Wednesday night-I thought about you and watched the clocked and prayed for all. God Bless! Merry Christmas!
What a wonderful outreach, and what a memory you have given to many. God Bless.
Second day in a row I started my day with tears reading The Catch. It was a privilege to be a very small part of what you gave to the women of Isaiah House. It truly is more “blessed to give than to receive”. My heart tells me so.
Thanks for your participation. Couldn’t have done it without you.
John & Marti, you both are such a blessing… to those women and to all of us out here! I praise God for giving you to us!
Merry Christmas!!!
~ Carl In Austin TX
God bless you and your family for organizing and carrying through with a wonderful Christmas for Isaiah House women. When I read the Catch today, I felt the joy and awe of those present. Brought tears to my eyes also Toni.
What a wonderful night for the women! Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make this a very special night. God bless all those who sent in gifts. I am hoping in the future there will be other opportunities in which we can help.
May God continue to bless this ministry.
I’m sure there will be. Thanks for participating.
Thank you for all you do and for letting me play a small part in making the Isaiah House Angels’ Christmas a merry one.
God Bless you, Ms. Marti and your family! Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Thanks for assisting us!
Well done, good and faithful servants. I, too read through tear filled eyes, thinking of how we all can relate to being and/or reaching out to the least of these. What an amazing event and outpouring of love.
A Blessed Christmas to all and a life full of love to share!
Made me cry
Beautiful! These is what Christmas is all about! Thank you, Santa, Jesus’ helper. Have Joyous & Blessed Christmas!