by Shawna Blake

Created on: November 16, 2008   Last Updated: January 22, 2010

The world today is so wrought with hardships, strife, grief, fear, and wretchedness, and we live right in the middle of it. We are faced with so many pressures, sometimes it's nice to believe in a little magic. What is wrong with small children believing in the magic of Santa Claus? Of course, as adults, we know Santa doesn't exist, but at one time in all of our hearts (or at least almost all of us), he was very, very real. I grew up with that hope, and I think it is wonderful and spiritual for children to believe in him now, still. I, myself, was probably in the first grade when I caught on to the fact that Santa Claus was not real. I actually figured it out for myself, and went straight to my parents to confront them. My mother was astonished, at first that I was so adament about proving my claim. We were in my parent's bedroom, and sitting upon the bed, I remember it that vividly. My mother tried to reason with me by saying "Santa Claus signs all of your presents before he sets them under the tree for you." This was true, she had me there. Still, I knew the truth, and I pleaded my case incessantly. I tod my mother that if it truly was Santa that handmade my gifts, wrapped them, delivered them all the way from the frigid North Pole, then signed them before leaving them for me, why in the world was it in her (my mother's) handwriting? Of course my mother was astonished, and relented. True, there wasn't an actual Santa Claus. At least not anymore.

The story that she then told my younger sisters and I made perfect sense, and preserved our belief in the kind-hearted, generous man. Mom told us that at one time, Saint Nick did in fact exist, and he did do the very things that we still celebrate today. While I can not recall the details of the story, I do remember the basic point. It was in a sleepy town and there was a very nice gentleman that would deliver toys to unfortunate children each year on the same day to commemorate the Lord's Birthday. It was a tribute and a celebration to the Lord and it gave children some things that they otherwise never receive. Throughout his life he would bring gifts to the less fortunate, lifting spirits in towns all over the place. Thus, we too do the very same thing that the man now remebered as Santa Claus began hundreds of years ago.

Whether this story is actually true or not, I can not say. But the sentiment is wonderful and magical, and I still think that way. It keeps Christmas from becoming too commercial or overwhelming.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>