Covina, California and Louisville, Kentucky; Bruce Pardo and anonymous man; hate and love. The range of human emotion and motivation is amazing and was evidenced Christmas Eve in these two men, one apparently motivated by jealousy and anger, the other motivated by generosity and grace.
Bruce Pardo dressed up like Santa Claus, traveled to his former inlaws' house where a family gathering was in progress, knocked on the door and began a violent rampage that ended in nine deaths. Among the horrific details is the fact that this family, the Ortegas, gathers every Christmas Eve and has a neighbor, disguised as Santa, over to their house to entertain their grandchildren, so Pardo was granted easy access. The source of his anger? The divorce of he and his ex-wife was finalized only days earlier and he felt her family was siding with her. Duh! What did he expect? After his murderous rampage with a gun he lit the house on fire, accidentally catching his Santa suit on fire, causing serious burns to his own body. He then travelled to his brother's house where, instead of escaping out of the country as originally planned, he committed suicide.
In a south Louisville neighborhood, near Churchhill Downs, a different Santa story unfolded. An anonymous "older man with grey hair" walked down the street knocking on doors. This was not a salesman or a pollster, he didn't want to take anything, except perhaps the sense of satisfaction that comes from doing a good deed. This mystery Santa simply wished the residents Merry Christmas, handed them a Christmas card, and went on to the next house. The neighbors were, understandibly suspicious. Who's this stranger passing out cards on Christmas Eve? But upon further inspection, each card contained a fresh fifty-dollar bill. Motivation? He said "Merry Christmas," so I am assuming his motivation was to spread a little Christmas cheer through this generous gesture.
A tale of two Santas reveals the range of human emotion and action, from utterly corrupt and evil, to incredibly charitable and loving. I only wish that someone could have gotten through to Bruce Pardo with love and grace so he could have turned his self-centered life around in time to save his life and the lives of his victims.
The world needs more kindness, more blessing, more love, more of Christ.
Someone please give the mystery Santa my address.
Posted by: Ken Howlett | January 01, 2009 at 08:35 PM