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Listen to the January edition of The ClausNet Podcast! Click the link on the main page or the side link...or below to give a listen. There is an extra special surprise just for you! Thanks to everyone for all your input. It makes for a great show.

follow up to the little boy!! The REAL Santa comes through...

I love the hypocrisy: respect all people but not the homeowner. Classic hatred being spewed by someone who can do nothing but see bad in everything and seeks to destroy anything or anyone they do not like. If I received this letter I would put up more lights. If this was my neighbor who got the letter I would put up more lights. Meanwhile I would now blast Xmas music in the neighborhood. Chastise me for celebrating Christmas? Kiss my mistletoe!

BBC News. 12-11-2020 A community has rallied together to honour a man who has raised thousands for charity with Christmas light displays ahead of what is expected to be his final festive period. Dave Edwards is known as Mr Christmas for his extravagant displays at his home in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, over the past 42 years. His family said due to ill health, this year's event would likely be the last. In response, residents have erected a banner to thank the 86-year-old. Locals have also been putting up their own festive displays in honour of the fundraiser. Mr Edwards started his light display as a competition with a house across the street, his daughter Sharon Markham said. Over the years, the display grew in size and in recent years has seen celebrities attend to switch on the lights in front of thousands of spectators. He was invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace for his fundraising efforts but the event did not go ahead due to coronavirus restrictions. Read full story here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-54891983

Toys"R"Us is making another comeback and this time it will do it with help from Macy’s. WHP Global, which acquired a controlling stake in the beloved toy retailer in March, has partnered with Macy’s, Inc. to bring Toys"R"Us shops into the department store’s brick and mortar and online locations, according to a Thursday press release. The deal between the two retailers comes seven months after Toys"R"Us shuttered the two locations it had in New Jersey and Texas due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both locations had been opened in late 2019 and were the only Toys"R"Us stores in the country following the company’s chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2017 and its U.S. and British store closures in 2018. For the article -> Macy’s, Toys'R'Us partner to bring the toy store back into physical locations WWW.FOXLA.COM Toys"R"Us shops will be opened in 400+ Macy’s stores.

A dive into the surprising history of the Christmas carol Classic FM December 3, 2020 By Rosie Pentreath EXCERPT In 1928, the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge’s Christmas Eve carol service was broadcast over the public airwaves for the very first time. The same year saw The Oxford Book of Carols – edited by Percy Dearmer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Martin Shaw –published, aiding the wide enjoyment of festive hymns throughout the population. But what are the origins of the Christmas carol? What actually is it to “sound Christmassy”? And why don’t we just sing Christmas carols all year round? It’s not as obvious as you might think, so do indulge our festive feelings, and join us on a journey through the history of the Christmas carol. What was the first Christmas carol? It’s generally accepted that one of the first Christmas carols ever to be recorded was the 129 AD ‘Angels Hymn’, according to The New Daily. Around this time, Christianity-themed hymns started taking over the previous pagan songs celebrating Winter Solstice. More and more slow, solemn hymns started to emerge in the fourth century, and by the 12th, songs referring to Nativity themes and creatures had emerged. According to Oxford Dictionaries, one of the oldest printed carols is the ‘Boar’s Head Carol’, which dates from 1521. Apparently, it was traditionally heard annually at Queen’s College, Oxford as Christmas lunch was carried in. ... What makes Christmas music so Christmassy? There are several elements that go into something seeming to sound unquestionably Christmassy. Stirring melodies are usually sprinkled with minor and diminished chords – think of the mix of major and minor melody lines in ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ – in popular Christmas carols and songs. This all underpins lyrics that are nostalgic, and often as sombre as they are uplifting and inspiring. Centred around the miraculous story of Jesus’s birth, of course, the overall message of the Christmas carl is one of awe, humility, hope and abundant joy. In more modern Christmas music, you can rely on a stick of ‘sleigh bells’ or similar to guarantee a Christmas auditory association. ... Today, lots of new choral Christmas music is often commissioned by leading choirs like The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, and lots of leading living composers, including Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre and Bob Chilcott, have written beautiful contemporary carols. Full Article: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/carol-history-origins/

Planets Will Align Causing Rare 'Christmas Star' to Appear in the Sky This December John Paluska | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Tuesday, December 1, 2020 On December 21, Saturn and Jupiter will align into a beautiful bright star. This will be the first time they align like this since the Middle Ages. According to Forbes, the two planets will look like a "double planet" and provide an extraordinary amount of light. The last time these two planets aligned like this was on March 4, 1226, according to astronomer Patrick Hartigan at Rice University. "Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every 20 years or so, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets will appear to be to one another. You’d have to go all the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226, to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky," Hartigan said in a statement. The spectacular sighting will be viewable from anywhere on earth. “The planets will appear low in the western sky for about an hour after sunset as viewed from the northern hemisphere, and though they’ll be closest on December 21, you can look each evening that week. Although the sight will be sinking towards the horizon, it will be bright enough to be viewed in at twilight. All you need is an unobstructed view to the southwest, and to look to the southwest from about 45 minutes after sunset where you are," Forbes states. To catch it in the night sky, you'll need a regular telescope at a minimum. But for a brighter view, an astronomer's telescope or a university telescope feed would work better. Alignments like these, called "conjunctions" are not necessarily rare, but some of them are impossibly rare or only come around once in hundreds of years. Astronomers speculate that the Star of David written of in Matthew was an exceptionally rare triple conjunction between Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus. One such astronomer was Johannes Kepler, one of the greatest astronomers of all time. Source: https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/john-paluska/planets-will-align-causing-rare-christmas-star-to-appear-in-the-sky-this-december.html

The point is, no one, including the government can keep you 100% safe, let alone safe from an airborne virus. This WHOLE thing is about gov't control, and people giving up up their freedoms, for a false belief in safety. We are allowing the government to strip away our rights, try to monitor our every move, and allowing the media to control our fears and emotions. This isn't about them caring for us, this is about them abusing the Constitution. And we are seeing how many sheep there are.

The Christmas Chronicles 3 Reportedly In Development At Netflix Scott Campbell WeGotThisCovered.com December 2020 This week, Netflix confirmed the long-held fan theory that there’s in fact a Christmas Cinematic Universe exclusively on the streaming service, connecting A Christmas Prince, The Princess Switch, The Holiday Calendar, The Knight Before Christmas, Christmas Inheritance and Holiday in the Wild. No offense to any of the cast and crew members who no doubt worked very hard on all of those respective titles, but for the most part, they’re absolute garbage. Instead, the brightest jewel in Netflix’s festive crown is without a doubt The Christmas Chronicles, starring Kurt Russell as possibly the most twinkly-eyed Santa Claus that’s ever been seen in live-action. The first movie was viewed over 20 million times in a week when it arrived two years ago, and the recently released sequel is poised to do even better and play like gangbusters over the holiday season. Co-writer and director Chris Columbus recently revealed that Russell wants Santa to be the last role he ever portrays, which is why it’s good news that we’ve heard from our sources today – the same ones who told us Netflix were developing a prequel to The Witcher long before Blood Origin was officially announced, and that an Extraction sequel is happening – that The Christmas Chronicles 3 is reportedly already in active development. Of course, there’s always the chance that Russell may have been kidding when he told Columbus that he was planning to ride off into the sunset after playing Santa for the last time, but then again, the 69 year-old actor has been working pretty much solidly ever since he made his screen debut all the way back in 1962, so he’s more than earned a break. That being said, The Christmas Chronicles series has proved massively popular so far, and there could be at least a couple more stories left to tell before the legend calls it quits. Source: https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/christmas-chronicles-3-reportedly-development-netflix/?fbclid=IwAR0XRQPuxr2t5n1IzTsQX8pM7XhKcTTI1ZSFcoP7D4n87ZB-jqNw4W07bts

He said it a tad more tactful than I stated...but the point was no way that fragrant package was coming near him! Which also goes to show what some parents think is ok to hand off to Santa. On the day we did the interview, my allergies were off the chart...Dec thru Jan we have cedar pollen that pretty much drives the whole area to the breaking point. I felt like I had pillows stuffed in my head. So sorry that I sounded so stuffed up. 🤧 ...never had any real allergies til we moved here and now I semi live with Kleenex boxes literally everywhere I turn, but Dec and Jan they are attached to my hand! At least I managed to not have a sneezing fit during it! One thing I did forget to mention tho when hanging your coat when in use and storing it during the long off season is to make sure that not only is the hanger strong enough to support your coat, but that the ends of it are curved and don't poke out/deform the tops of your sleeves...not a good look and bad for the fabric.

When similar situations arise whether guns, pet tigers etc, I will generally tell the child, that I cant promise to bring everything they wish for, but I promise they will be happy with the gifts they do receive. In essence, as you say, leave the option where it should be, with the parents.

As I'm getting ready for the new podcast I ask you to answer a question from the big chair but this month I'd like you to call my toll-free, 24-hour answering machine and first off tell me who you are and where you are from...then give me a brief over-view of whether you are doing in-person visits this year or virtual...or a combination of the two. If you have a new event on your calendar, please include that but try and be as brief as possible. BELOW IS A SAMPLE: "Hi, this is Greg Martin from Washington State and this year I will be doing all live, in-person visits including the tree lighting ceremony in Anytown. I do have a few virtual visits planned for some special people as well. Merry Christmas!" Call my 24-hour number at: 509-392-6072. That's 509-392-6072. Thank you in advance! - Greg

I've told that for years. And in the past, concluded it with, "How else would an old, fat elf get around the world safely in 1 night without a bunch of females telling him where to go?" It usually gets a TON of laughs from the adults.

Author of Christmas letter to Santa found by chimney sweeps revealed Source: BBC News - By Liam Barnes Published 29-07-2021 A man whose letter to Santa, written by his father, was stuck up a chimney for 60 years says he hopes to be reunited with the note. Chimney sweeps in Worksop found the singed Christmas missive, and turned to social media to find the writer. Robert Crampton confirmed he was hoping for "a cowboy suit and guns and a hat and everything", though his father wrote the festive epistle. Despite the postal problems, the retired policeman received his gifts. Mr Crampton said the letter dates back to just before Christmas in 1961, when he was five years old. Born in nearby Retford but now living in Surrey, the 65-year-old said it was written on his behalf by his late father, a sergeant with the Royal Army Service Corps based at the time at Ranby. After being alerted to the letter, a telltale clue in the neat blue ink identified the senior Robert Crampton as the man holding the pen. Mr Crampton hopes he can be reunited with the letter so his daughters have a memento of his father, who died in 1996. He can also say his Christmas wish came true, as he completed 30 years with Surrey Police before retiring in 2013. "I always wanted to be the sheriff, and I suppose I was in a way," he said. The letter is currently with the present owners, who said their family has lived at the home for decades and did not know the previous occupants. "I spoke to my mum, and she said 'it must have been your dad's handwriting because if it was yours you'd probably have got a doll's house'," he said. "[She] reminded me I did in fact get some of the kit - I got a cap gun which was like a cowboy six-shooter and a holster, and I remember getting a sheriff's badge." Cheryl Thorne, officer manager at Sweeps Chimney Services, said she was thrilled to see the original author tracked down. "I'm a sentimental person, and when we set this business up I told my husband I always wanted to find a Christmas letter," she said. "It's chimney treasure - it's precious when you find something like this."

Hope everyone's 4th went well and you are all staying cool. I'm in the pre-pre prep mode for the podcast and if you listened to the end of the July podcast you heard me mention the topic for August was about Santa's that bring something else to the table...like singing, balloons, magic, etc. I'd love to hear from you so we can discuss this on the podcast. (I promise it won't hurt...much!) SO PLEASE!!! Reach out. podcast@clausnet.com If you know of someone that fits this...call them...tell them to reach out. Or better yet...email me and I'LL call them!!

Yes, please. Do call in and give your input on any number of issues for the ClausNet Podcast! Heck...just leave a general greeting to be played on the Podcast, like, "Ho, Ho, Hello! This is Felix Estridge all the way from Wide Awake Wylie, TX! And you are listening to the ClausNet Podcast!"

June 4 (sorry - a couple days late) Jun 4: The American Christmas comedy-drama film "Miracle on 34th Street" premiered in NYC on this day in 1947. It was written and directed by George Seaton based on a story by Valentine Davies. It stars Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn. The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City and focuses on the effect of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa. The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite. It won three Oscars: Best Supporting Actor (Gwen), Best Writing-Original Story (Davies), Best Writing-Screenplay (Seaton). It was nominated for Best Picture, losing to "Gentleman's Agreement". [source: Wikipedia]

Louisiana man fulfills Kansas twins' Christmas list after finding balloon message KMBC.com April 20, 2021 EXCERPT: Most of the time when someone sends a message in a bottle or a letter to Santa, they're not really expecting the universe to reply. This is a story about a set of twins from a small town in Kansas who not only got an answer returned, but made a new friend for life -- a wonderful stranger who found a letter to Santa Claus from two little girls living two states away. It all began with a moment just before Christmas in the town of Liberal, Kansas, when 4-year-old twin sisters wrote letters to Santa, tied them to red balloons, and released them from their home. Their mother knew better. It was like a message in a bottle. But, Luna and Gianella Gonzalez were truly hoping it might make it to Santa's workshop at the North Pole. "It was a windy day," said mom Leticia Gonzalez. "I just thought it was going to get lost, get caught up in the tree." But the message didn't get lost. One of those balloons traveled more than 600 miles in the wrong direction and into the hands of Alvin Bamburg near Shreveport, Louisiana, who decided he's going to be Santa's helper. "I opened it and it was a Christmas list," he said. "I just had to do something for them." Bamburg said the note melted his heart, so he and his wife posted it to Facebook, where the internet helped them find the mother of the twins. And, with donations from family and friends, he shipped the girls almost every present on their list. "We did not expect it," Leticia Gonzalez said. "It was a big surprise to us." But there's one present the girls really, really wanted. And Bamburg just couldn't ship it in the mail -- a new puppy. Bamburg and his wife drove with a new furry friend, Max, for several hours to meet the twins in person for the first time, and with the biggest surprise yet. A new puppy of their very own. "We are very blessed," Leticia Gonzalez said. She told Bamburg, "Thank you. Thank you for making my girls so happy. You will forever be part of our family."

I hear that Brother !!! I play Christmas music in the background all year long - drives my wife nuts. But I too am a junkie - there is too much good stuff to cram into one short month - especially when I end up on the road so much in December. Gotta take the time to savor all the nuances of Christmas to get hyped for the big day!!! BUT - since our home party was cancelled this year she is already on board to go nuts next year - so we hope to start decorating in September !!! (I call that a win ! )

If the first thing you need to do is learn to spell CLAUS, then I guess the second thing you need to learn to do is spell SANTA!

Shopping centre staff fail to spot massive mistake in their Christmas display Staff at a shopping centre decked the halls for the festive season, but when putting up their Christmas display it seems they made a rather awkward blunder Source: The Mirror. By Courtney Pochin Audience Writer 10 DEC 2020 When it comes to Christmas decorations, shopping malls and department stores usually go all out, putting up epic displays and over the top trees. One shopping centre in the US has put up their magical display, complete with trees and cute animals playing musical instruments. The animals are each stood on colourful blocks, the kind children might play with, that have letters on each side. It seems the letters were meant to spell out the word Santa, but staff who put the decorations up have made a rather unfortunate mistake. Instead of saying Santa, the festive message actually reads Satan. Awkward! Full storey: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/shopping-centre-staff-fail-spot-23145203 What a terrible error!

It is not Santa's place to be pro or con guns. It is his job to listen to the child, communicate with the child, and to allow the parents to dictate whether firearms of any sort are proper for the child. It's that easy. This Santa became an advocate and violated a behavior code. I am just mad about this. This behavior makes us all look bad.

Santa first in line for new Covid vaccine Source; National News.com 03 Nov. 2020 England’s deputy medical chief Jonathan Van-Tam has promised children that Father Christmas will be first in line to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Mr Van-Tam made the remarks on BBC Radio 5Live where he sought to allay fears about the upcoming Pfizer/BioNtech shot which will be rolled out across the country in the coming weeks. Government guidance states that NHS workers and the most vulnerable groups, including the over-80s, will be first to be inoculated against the virus. However, Mr Van Tam has pledged Santa Clause will jump to the front of the queue for the vaccine, further cementing his cult status amongst the British public. Jennifer in St Albans: "I’ve got three children and they were asking about Father Christmas and wanting to know whether he will be front of the queue to get the vaccine." JVT: “Absolutely, the JVCI made a special case for Father Christmas, and he is going to be top of our list.” Full story: https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/santa-first-in-line-for-new-covid-vaccine-says-jonathan-van-tam-1.1122521

It is the same situation when parents bring their child to Santa and ask Santa to admonish them for their bad behavior. Santa is NOT their disciplinarian. The parents are. Just because they have failed to reign in their behavior and be stern with their child doesn't mean that Santa should be.

On this day ten years ago (11/6/2010), I had the privilege of gathering with many distinguished Santa Claus portrayers in Santa Claus, IN for the Final Santa Claus Oath Ceremony. The Santa Claus Oath is a set of principles that promote brotherhood and the highest ideals for portraying Santa Claus. The oath is the brainchild of Santa portrayer and Christmas archivist, Phillip L. Wenz. During its signatory period, the oath garnered over 2,500 original signers from around the world. The final oath ceremony marked the end of the signatory period, and the book of signatures was placed in a plastic time capsule. The capsule is on display at Santa's Candy Castle (Santa Claus, IN) where it can be viewed by the public. The oath itself is viewable online at santaclausoath.webs.com. The Santa Claus Oath is held in high esteem by Santa groups everywhere.

Not cancelling anything here. According to the CDC's own Data, TOTAL Deaths in the US (all causes): 2017: 2,813,503 (234,000/Mo) 2018: 2,839,206 (237,000/Mo) 2019: 2,855,000 (238,000/Mo) 2020: 2,130,000 (Jan - Sept) (236,000/Mo) So if you take the 2020 monthly average (236,000) and multiply by 3 for the remainder of the year, and add that into the year's total so far you get a projected: 2,130,000 + 708,000 = 2,838,000 Or in other words, less total deaths than 2019! Some other stats, again provided by the CDC... Annual deaths in the US due directly to cigarette smoking: 480,000, with 41,000 of those being second hand smoke related. So about 1,300 deaths daily. (Mar 23, 2020 data) Deaths in the US blamed on Covid-19 for 2020*: 242,861 So almost 2x's as many people will die in 2020 due to smoking than Covid. Average #'s of some other deaths in the US: 95,000 deaths due to excessive alcohol use 48,344 (2018 data) suicides 606,520 from all cancers * this # is more than likely inflated as it counts covid deaths in people that had other heath related issues such as diabetes, congestive heart problems and other life threatening health issues