Today: There is a Santa.

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?

–Virginia O’Hanlon, 115 W. 95th Street

You probably know how the second paragraph (quick summary of the first paragraph: V.’s little friends are dingbats; full text here) of F.P. Church’s thoughtful and famous response begins: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

This exchange holds special meaning for me.   As a three year old, I got in a bit of trouble for telling my pre-school little friends that Santa was fake.  A reasonable person would assume I was speaking specifically of the “Santa’s helper” that came to school for a photo opportunity (he was, after all, not Santa), but I can imagine that the words Santa and fake, regardless of the semantics, would not go over well in a room full of pre-schoolers and their keepers.

Regardless, I wholeheartedly encourage you to read the editor’s full response.  Does a more perfect answer to the Santa question exist?  Church captured the wonder and spirit of Christmas and the holiday season, and reminds us year after year (when his editorial pops up in Macy’s commercials, TV specials, holiday books and is reprinted in newspapers across the country) that “the most real things the world are those that neither children nor men can see.”

That does not necessarily mean that the Boogie Man is the most real thing in the world.  It means, I think, that Peace and Charity and Compassion and Thoughtfulness and L-O-V-E (while I’m spelling words, Aretha Franklin, let’s not forget R-E-S-P-E-C-T) are the most real things.  Not material things or just plain old materials, like burlap or felt.

This being 2009, the Virginias of the world may need more high tech proof that Santa exists.  Fortunately I received the most magical email of all time earlier this week:

Now might be a good time to assure you that I am not under the influence.  This post was fueled by a tall glass of Christmas cheer, and I don’t mean the peppermint schnapps kind.  I do feel a bit like I’ve been sniffing candy canes or huffing glitter, though.  I may or may not have DVR’d Carrie Underwood’s holiday special on Fox last week.  OK.  I fully did.

My shame level hasn’t dipped quite low enough to warrant actually watching it yet, but I have a feeling we’re not too far off.   You’ll have to wait with baited breath to hear how magical it was.  Or wasn’t.  I’ll get swept up in anything Christmas related.  I just can’t help it.

Also On Tap for Today:

• Host my second web conference for American teacher(s)… who knows how many people log in to these things a week before Christmas… or ever
• Name a reindeer
• Go see The Blind Side with Nick
• Devise a plan to get a ticket to ice skate in Fenway Park

Tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus in your life?