With so many other, and often instantaneous, forms of communication that continue to evolve, this blog is becoming more and more irrelevant. Still, it offers me the opportunity to at the very least share not only my annual Christmas card, but sometimes to share some of the inspiration for the card, as well.
This year’s Christmas card was inspired by another real-life event. They really did fully decorate the shopping mall in Brea, California in the middle of summer so they could film a Christmas ad.
If you want an actual card from me, there are several ways of getting one for yourself:
- You COULD be on my mailing list, and simply wait for the USPS to bring you an old school card via snail mail; that mailing list is only ever growing shorter. Alas, if you're not already on the mailing list... that's probably not going to happen.
- You could connect with me at church (Eastside in Anaheim, CA) or bump into me around town (Placentia, Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Brea, Fullerton, etc.). With Christmas Day fast approaching, this is rapidly becoming a futile proposition, as I'm currently down to my last 25 cards (out of a printing of 300 this year).
- You could send me an email requesting a pdf of this year's Christmas card, so you can print out your very own 2023 Christmas card (ink, paper, and some assembly required).
- You could forgo all the hassle of tracking me down or the laborious printing and folding chore... and simply experience the online version of the 2023 Christmas card, below:
Christmastime in Brea
by David Alan Hoag – September 28, 2023
(sung to “Christmas in Killarney”; apologies to
Frank Weldon, James Cavanaugh, and John Redmond)
It's ninety-three, in June, you see,
Yet there’s Santa Claus and a Christmas tree
The Brea Mall’s all decked out
They’re filming a Christmas ad.
And in the snow, there’s gifts, you know
In bright Christmas wrap, and a shiny bow
With little elves in bright green suits
They’re filming a Christmas ad.
They’re wearing Christmas sweaters
But outside it is hot,
And now the crew just yelled at you:
“You’re messing up our shot.”
Though it seems weird, it all appeared;
Look, there’s Santa Claus with his snow-white beard!
In June, this is the biggest
Surprise you’ve ever had
The Brea Mall’s all decked out
They’re filming a Christmas ad.
-------------
In a world driven by commercial profit,
I invite you to embrace
the simple gift of Christmas for yourself.
Look past the fancy wrapping and
shiny ribbons and bows to discover
A gift of Love, and Joy, and Peace!
I wish you a blessed Christmas.
Dave Hoag
