In my family, everyone believes in Santa. We have “Santa Bags” delivered on Christmas Eve for each of us to open Christmas morning. These “Santa Bags” are like pillowcases tied at the top. Everyone has their name on the bag, and it contains special gifts just for that person.
It’s a tradition that carries the secret of Santa through our family from birth to death. I believe it is good for my kids to see their parents and grandparents share the love and joy of Santa Claus.
At St. Ignatius on Christmas Eve, our Santa walks down the center aisle and kisses baby Jesus in the manger. He then holds baby Jesus gently in his arms for all of us to kiss or touch as we go by. Every year I say that I am not going to cry….and I always do. It brings my two beliefs together in such a way I am overcome with emotion.
I have recently read some sad stories on social media of parents struggling to tell their children the “truth” about Santa Claus. Their “truth” is breaking it to their children that Santa isn’t “real.” This is the saddest thing I have ever heard. To me, Santa is as real as the person sitting next to me. Santa gives us the power to do good for each other and take no credit for ourselves. Santa is the smile and the generosity of the holiday season. Santa takes nothing away from the birth of Jesus Christ. In fact, I believe just the opposite is true. This is exactly the Secret of Santa I found in a mother’s letter to her child.
My dear child, “I know you have questions about Santa and whether or not he is ‘real’ or if I am Santa Claus. It is time I told you the true secret of Santa. Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch. It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents, and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
“Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy. With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible. So, no, I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness.
I’m on his team, and now you are, too. I love you and I always will.” Mama
May you find joy and peace this Christmas season and keep the secret of Santa real in your lives.
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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