Matthew Getchius
What would you say if a young girl, about seven, asked you if Santa Claus is real?
Would you shatter her innocence proclaiming that her jolly, rosy cheeked, and gift giving friend is nothing more than an image created by years of being remade?
Or would you tell her that he is real, saying that a jolly fat man hops down into your chimney, knowing who’s sleeping or awake, leaving presents for young boys and girls who have been good while those who have been naughty are given coal?
Most children find out at a young age that Santa is not real by family and friends, witnessing parents delivering gifts, or learning that the Santa at the mall is an imposter.
What would you say if you were asked if you believe in Santa?
Would you lie or tell the truth; even if the truth held little meaning compared to the lie?
In 1897, in an editorial written by Francis Pharcellus Church, a young girl named Virginia asked if Santa Claus was real, because her friends had told her that he wasn’t.
Church responded saying “Our fantasies and myths are important, and often are spiritually if not literally true.” Church also stated about Claus, “Ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”
I myself freely admit that I believe in Santa.
He is as much a part of our culture as Americans, as he is a part of Catholicism.
He demonstrates the idea of giving to show love and kindness to others as everyone should do.
Santa Claus, whether you love him, hate him, believe in him or think he’s a childish story, he will always be a part of our childhood making us smile, and making our children smile from now to the end of time.