written by Francis P. Church
Editorial Page, New York Sun, 1897
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
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
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus?Thank God he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2:2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.2:3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.2:4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 2:5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.2:6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8-20 (Shepherds visit Jesus)
2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.2:9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.2:10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.2:12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."2:16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.2:17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.2:18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.2:20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
We miss you Mom. 2003 was our first Christmas without you.
Thanks for all the wonderful memories of Christmas' past.
With Love,
All of Your Children
& Grand-Children
