The Truth About Santa Claus
Christmas carols evoke visions of holiday cheer and wonderful,
tender family moments. There is "I'm Dreaming of a White
Christmas," a classic that has spanned the time of many
generations. There are numerous books and articles written about
Christmas, such as "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus." A
letter written by an 8-year-old New York girl received a
national response from the newspaper she sent it to - The Sun.
Many young children struggle with the thought of Santa Claus.
Some of their friends laugh at them for believing, and some
parents go to great lengths to protect and preserve this belief
in their small children.
In reality, young and old, would like to believe in a wonderful
fantasy of magic and a touch of Holiday cheer. Truth is that
with everyday life, adults get to be very skeptical and no
longer hold on to childhood visions of sugarplums and jolly
fellows coming down a chimney.
The concept of Santa Claus can be analyzed and taken apart - it
can be examined, re-examined, and checked out twice again.
Madison Avenue executives conceive new ways to promote the
"magic" of the season to include childhood traditions and
beliefs, and stores are filled to overflowing with replicas and
manufactured versions. In reality, yes, there really is a Santa
Claus. It is a most wondrous feeling of love, generosity, and
devotion. As the editor of The Sun so aptly put it, "How dreary
would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. There would be
no child-like faith, no poetry, no romance...the light of
childhood that fills the world would be extinguished without
Santa Claus."
You don't have to "see" Santa to believe in what Santa stands
for. As in religious beliefs and doctrines, not seeing and
believing, trusting, is where faith abounds. Santa represents
faith in a higher power than we will ever be, it is faith in
mankind that in hearts throughout the world there is love and
tenderness. Small children are to be cherished and adults can
hold on to memories and beliefs from their past - knowing full
well the scientific research that has proven these concepts as
"not probable."
However, no one can fully take away the "invisible", but very
real feelings of faith, love, care and concern. Joy cannot be
touched and neither can happiness. They are, however, very real
and can be a part of each and every day. While all Holidays are
not picture-perfect, no matter how meager or unadorned a Holiday
may be, knowing and cherishing in your heart the belief in Santa
Claus is truly a wonder - a part of life that we must hang on to
forever and pass on to new generations. We must preserve the awe
of fresh snow, unbelievable sunsets, and the warmth of holding
someone's hand.
Irving Berlin write "White Christmas" during the warm years. It
was so simple and yet so breathtakingly beautiful. Faith is
really the same - it is basic, simple and yet will take your
breath away with the reflection it creates of "good will" and
"love."
Yes, there really is a Santa Claus and it beats in individual
hearts and makes life wondrous and beautiful. We must all "wish"
that this light this belief, goes on forever in the hearts of
all men/women/and children. It is a "light that must never be
extinguished." Happy Holidays and ENJOY!