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!
©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 November