Living Outside the Lines: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

By, Becky J. Miller

Ahh…Santa Claus, that mystical, magical, jolly old man who inevitably is part of almost everyone’s childhood.  Where, oh where did this religiously re-told fable begin? 

According to Wikipedia, “Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure of Western culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on Christmas Eve.  The modern day Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra, the British figure of Father Christmas, the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, the German figure of the Christkind, and the holidays of the Twelfth Night and Epiphany and their associated figures of the Three Kings (based the gift-giving Magi of the Nativity). “

Please do not take offense at what I am about to say, but I truly do not understand the on-going tradition of deceiving our children regarding a mythical old man who watches their every move.  By no means am I anti-Christmas, rather my perspective is shaped by my own childhood experiences. 

I bought into the Santa Claus myth with every fiber of my innocent, childhood being.  Santa left the best presents, used different wrapping paper than mom and dad, had handwriting unlike either of my parents, and played the coolest hide and go seek games with our gifts. Plus, he delivered presents I was absolutely sure my parents would not have allowed. 

So absorbed was I in the magic of Santa that I believed well past the “normal” age of disclosure, even adding to my defense of him, the oft read, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”  I mean, if a book was published verifying his existence, it had to be true, right?? One of my nephew’s, at the tender age of 8 (or is it 9??) has already discovered the truth. Me?  I am not ashamed to admit, well, maybe just a tad, but I believed in Santa until I was 12 years old.  The truth devastated me, and I struggled to let go of the fantasy.  I mean, if Santa wasn’t real, then where was I supposed to place all my hopes?

Seriously, even today, at the ripe old age of 49, with three grown kids of my own, I still pine for the innocence of my childhood; the belief in something good, something greater than me, a tangible hope that magic really does exist.  And in this very personal disclosure, perhaps folks will come to understand why I feel the story of Santa is potentially dangerous. 

You can probably guess what comes next; my husband and I chose not to perpetuate the myth of Santa with our own children.  I was resolute in my decision to never lie to them.  My parents taught me to always tell the truth, even if it was uncomfortable, and that lesson has stuck with me.  Honestly, I think sparing my children the heartbreak of finding out Santa was not real made life so much easier.  If you ask them today, they will tell you they missed out on nothing.

Shopping was so easy, there were no secrets; we asked their desires and told them honestly if their requests were beyond our means.  Christmas morning still held surprises and special wrapping paper; they just knew it was all from Mom and Dad.  On Christmas Eve, we sent them to bed with the truth, “Mommy and Daddy need time to get your stockings stuffed, and all your presents under the tree.”  We never had to explain to them why we’d misled them, or defend our trustworthiness. 

Even today, with all my children in their 20’s, “Santa” still comes to bring surprises and fill their stockings.  It brings joy to each of us with none of the repercussions of untruth.  By no means am I judging anyone who chooses a different path, my very own parents as well as both of my siblings opted to allow their children to believe in Santa. I am merely offering for consideration a different perspective. 

Do I believe that the magic of Santa ought to be shared via tangible expressions of love and self-less giving for our fellow man?  Absolutely.  I believe the spirit of giving AKA Santa makes the world a better place, I just also believe we ought to give actual credit where it is due, and that credit my friends, belongs with each one of you. 

Wishing each of you a joyous Christmas season, with or without Santa Claus and his list.

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”