In this month’s “Word on the Street” (page 10), writer Lara Gladych asked people to finish the sentence “it wouldn’t be Christmas without …” For me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa Claus. Of course I know that the myth of Santa Claus is, at its core, about getting gifts, but to me it’s quite simply all about the magic.
I remember being in the car with my stepdaughter years ago when she was about four years old. She had announced that Santa was made up and her mother and I were trying to convince her he wasn’t. Eventually we had to concede the debate, not wanting to lie to her but a little sad, all the same, that she’d stopped believing at such a young age.
Happily for me, my daughter, the same age now as Maddy was then, is a firm believer in the magic of Santa Claus. And I hope she keeps believing, for as long as possible. I admit that it wasn’t until I was around 12 (an immature 12) that I understood that no matter how much I wanted him to be more than a fairytale, Santa was just that. I found presents under my parents’ bed that later appeared under the tree, marked “love Santa,” and the bubble was burst.
To me, the story of Santa Claus is at the heart of the magic of Christmas; above all it’s about innocence and purity, and setting aside all the things that make the season stressful and chaotic, to experience magic at its simplest. This holiday magic can weave its way through all we do over the season, if we let it. Chat with strangers while in a long line rather than tapping your foot and grumbling; stop for a few minutes to listen to carols despite being late for an engagment, appreciate the glow in someone’s eyes as they look upon a Christmas tree, or stop by the “North Pole” at the mall to watch the kids whisper their wishes in Santa’s ear while their parents watch with a look of shared joy and love. And when it all gets to be a little overwhelming, remember the time you were positive you heard jingle bells and footsteps on the roof on Christmas Eve.
May the magic of Santa Claus touch your life this Christmas, and all the best in the coming year.
