Santa Claus and the Like

One of my blogging friends has expressed some regret that she led her children to believe in Santa Claus because now she considers that she lied to them. I wrote in reply, "When I was growing up, we loved Santa Claus, knowing he was in the same category as other fun things like rabbits who talk (in Peter Cottontail) and the "dish fairy" who surprised my Mom when she got home and found that somehow—almost by magic—the dishes had been washed and dried. "Oh, the dish fairy has been here!" she would exclaim with delight, and I would just giggle because I knew who the "dish fairy" was! We didn't feel anyone lied to us about Santa Claus, but enjoyed the pretending, understanding that it was just that."

Maybe Santa Claus—even pretending—is not part of your Christmas. Or there may be some readers who do not celebrate Christmas at all. I respect our differences, so if you wish, just ignore the remainder of this post. I want to quote a long-lasting bit of tradition. Over a hundred years ago, little Virginia O'Hanlon wrote to the editor of New York's Sun:

Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, "If you see it in THE SUN it's so."
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

The response was printed on September 21, 1897, the work of newsman Francis Pharcellus Church, and has since become the most reprinted newspaper editorial ever, appearing in part or its entirety in dozen of languages in books, movies, other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

I am not sure the eight-year-old could understand the literate, abstract reply. But we can. " . . .Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were not Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias . . . "

That is echoed in a recent article published in the "Parade" supplement to many Sunday newspapers. Popular author Alexander McCall Smith wrote that there are times when we need to pretend to believe in things that we actually know not to be true. The world is often a place of suffering and difficulty, and justice and kindness and love do not always prevail against these hard realities. "Myths help us to get by," he says. So don't be embarrassed if you want to "believe" in Santa. He stands for kindness and generosity and goodwill, and these things will continue to be alive as long as we believe in them.

MaryMartha

Interesting reading alert!
A copy of the Sun editorial is located at http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/

Smith's article is at http://www.parade.com/news/2009/12/13-why-we-should-believe-in-santa-claus.html

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/