Beautiful children, all!

Have you ever noticed that really good things live on and on in the hearts of men, while bad things, though hard to live through, eventually crumble from within and fall away? Regimes that demoralize humanity come and go. Darkness is overpowered by light. Humans write those stories so they can be passed down through generations and be remembered, both historical and fiction.

A small baby is born, laid in a manger and 2,000 plus years later, we still celebrate that birthday and a life unmeasured by human standards. Martin Luther King Jr. marched. Rosa Parks took a seat. The one ring to rule them all was destroyed by a small Hobbit. The White Witch did not take over Narnia. The Velveteen Rabbit showed that it takes "being real" to be alive. Buzz Lightyear and Woody led the wild journey from child to adulthood with success. And then of course, there is Santa.

While "The Wizard of Oz" became his crowning glory, L. Frank Baum actually wrote a series of 14 Oz stories, numerous other novels and some 80 short stories, poetry and screenplays. In 1902, he wrote "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus," and in showcasing Santa's goal in life, to make children happy, Baum revealed his own desires and heart as well. Children and their happiness was foremost to both men.

The world of Santa Claus begins with a forest. It is a special place, protected by a woodsman named AK along with fairies, gnomes and nymphs, and all sorts of creatures with powers and magic used for the good of man and the planet. Something very special happens when a small baby is left at the edge of the woods and is brought into the forest family to be raised with enduring love and care. They named him Claus.

When almost grown, AK takes Claus into the world of men so he might understand the lives they lead. While Claus found much beauty, he also found misery and hurt, especially in the lives of the children. He vowed to bring happiness to each and every child in his world.

Claus moved from the forest into a beautiful valley outside of many towns and villages. With the help of his forest family, he was housed and fed, with a stack of wood always supplied for warmth and cooking. With time on his hands, a knife and a piece of wood, he carved a cat, the first toy in the world of men. The story evolves from there with toys delighting children, a sled to deliver them, deer to pull the sled, chimney deliveries and stockings hung with care. Helpers of the fairy kind offered imagination and magic to the tasks. Parents were thankful, and more and more children became happy.

Of course, a good story is lacking without an antagonist. Claus, not yet a saint but close, is confronted by an invisible entity, an enemy of both the mortals of the earth and the immortals of the forest. This evil, called Awgwas, vowed to keep Claus from his work as they did not like children or parents being happy. They wanted to fill the earth with angst, violence and cruelty, creating vile situations to kill hope and take away joy. They first kidnap Claus and leave him 1,000 miles away from his valley. But his forest family brings him home. Then the Awgwas again kidnap Claus and secure him in a deep dark cave in their mountain, the pathway blocked by the largest of boulders. Once again, Claus' family finds him and restores him to his cabin. As a last attempt, the Awgwas vow to kill Claus within three days.

AK calls together all the immortals of the world and they gird themselves with simple weapons, an ax, sharp thorns, wands and switches. Their real strength is found in the law that says "while EVIL, unopposed, may accomplish terrible deeds, the power of GOOD can never be overthrown when opposed by EVIL." It is a simple but sure law of our world, that unfortunately most mankind has never understood. This power lies dormant.

While the story of Santa Claus, who did achieve sainthood, has found its way into homes around the world, it is the following message that must find its way into the hearts of all mankind, from parents, teachers and leaders to tyrants, dictators and evil. "In all this world there is nothing so beautiful as a happy child," says good old Santa Claus; and if he had his way the children would all be beautiful, for all would be happy." It seems that power grabs and quests for wealth have gone for naught, as the children worldwide suffer the consequences. Peace, goodwill toward men is repeated each and every year during this season. We have held the answer for a very long time. "Make beautiful every child" and we have peace.

Good Books.

Good reading.

*Midge Lyn'dee is a fictional character used for the purpose of entertainment though the reviews are real and sincere.