Yes, Virginia
You know the line, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause. I think everyone of reading age knows the line. But, for a refresher, Virginia was 8 years old and living in New York. She wrote a letter to the New York Sun and asked if there was a Santa Clause, because back then if it was in print, it was true. And magically, the editorial board of the paper responded. And, according to Newseum, it's the most reprinted article of all time.
I believed in Santa for a really long time. Long after it was fashionable for a kid to believe. And you know, I think I still believe. And it got me thinking about the editorial response to Virginia, and if such a letter would be written today.
In an age where studies are being written "proving" that athiests are more educated than their religious counterparts, believers, I'll call them, would an adult write an article intended for mostly adults that says "The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see."
I don't know. And I also know that's gratuitous quote pulling, and in his next line he's talking about fairies. But I think it applies to all things. To a belief in God specifically. To belief in general.
In my adult life, I have viewed Santa Clause as the spirit, or angel of Christmas. He is the logo or clipart of a magical season that's brightly colored and full of music and happiness. He's part of a tradition of events.
It just all got me thinking. There's way more to teach our children this time of year than Santa and reindeer. But ... well it just got me thinking. Even when told, flat out, the "truth" I wanted to believe. The magic of it all is intoxicating. Even the religious story has it's own magic.
It's just a magical time of year. And it's probably even more so as I consider the years ahead of me with my own kids. I am beyond blessed. I'm really excited to see Grady's reaction to all that paper.
I believed in Santa for a really long time. Long after it was fashionable for a kid to believe. And you know, I think I still believe. And it got me thinking about the editorial response to Virginia, and if such a letter would be written today.
In an age where studies are being written "proving" that athiests are more educated than their religious counterparts, believers, I'll call them, would an adult write an article intended for mostly adults that says "The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see."
I don't know. And I also know that's gratuitous quote pulling, and in his next line he's talking about fairies. But I think it applies to all things. To a belief in God specifically. To belief in general.
In my adult life, I have viewed Santa Clause as the spirit, or angel of Christmas. He is the logo or clipart of a magical season that's brightly colored and full of music and happiness. He's part of a tradition of events.
It just all got me thinking. There's way more to teach our children this time of year than Santa and reindeer. But ... well it just got me thinking. Even when told, flat out, the "truth" I wanted to believe. The magic of it all is intoxicating. Even the religious story has it's own magic.
It's just a magical time of year. And it's probably even more so as I consider the years ahead of me with my own kids. I am beyond blessed. I'm really excited to see Grady's reaction to all that paper.
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