Xmas and Don Camillo

We are coming up on Jesus birthday and with that is the attendant struggle to get gifts as soon on. I must confess to being somewhat distracted this year (similar to last year from memory) as my present from heaven will be with me in May 09 - worth the wait.

I got me thinking about the way a behaviour can change if you believe somebody has an expectation upon you. Lets consider the role of Santa in the Nice and Naughty Lists. Leaving aside his mad omnipresent skills, under whose authority does Santa judge us? Let me elaborate, its Jesus' birthday so he uses his mafia connections to hire 'The Jolly Fatman' to dispense a consumer judgement on individuals. 'The Jolly Fatman', who has powerful influence over the Transport Workers Union, delivers said judgements to everybody in one evening and takes the rest of the year off (presumably).
The Christmas message is 'Peace on earth and Goodwill to all men', which in my opinion is a wonderful message and an excellent goal. Does the threat of getting a Naughty Present (Message to Santa, example please? with the coal futures going through the roof, the traditional lump of coal could be seen as a boon. Perhaps tickets to a Baz Lurhman film... Work on it and get back to me.) motivate people to behave?
I would suggest it does. Consider your boss at work (or even the one at home) if they are pissed at you do perform to the best of your ability to placate them? to earn their favour? I suggest you would, the reward is not having your superior breathing down your neck and the chance to earn their trust to perform.
Both Santa and his friend Jesus ask us to 'behave', to treat our fellow man with dignity and kindness. If we fail in this task there is no immediate judgement, perhaps a lump of coal (waiting on you Santa). But ultimately we are neither punished or inconvenienced and yet if we do show generosity and goodwill other people benefit.

In the title of this post I mentioned Don Camillo (I only care that you find out who he is) in his dialogues there is a wonderful exploration of the theme of virtue and our place in the community. This year consider your community, consider your family. Consider what you've done for other people.
I propose that Christmas can be a reflective period, not just about shopping and pavlova and beer. Perhaps that is what Santa is after as a return on his investment on shipping and logistics...