Magic of...

Ever since Jaret was little, he would visit Santa at the mall and a traditional Santa picture would be taken.  And each year, I put it in a frame as part of my Christmas decorations.  I remember that first picture that was taken as if it was yesterday.  Jaret was only five or six weeks old and while at the mall, I couldn't resist getting Jaret's picture.  In one of the pictures, Jaret yawned, seeing this, Santa closed his eyes and a cute moment was captured.  Then Kirra was born and the tradition continued with her and Jaret together sitting on Santa's lap.  A number of years ago, Jaret questioned Santa's existence as so many children do.  In our home we stress what Christmas is truly about - Jesus' birth.  Our children know the story well and live a life following His will for their lives.  And yet, even when I was a child, I still liked to go sit on Santa's lap.  There was something magical about it that just made me believe in the goodness of people and the generosity that comes with Christmas.  Kirra came home from school a few weeks back and announced that Kacey said Santa wasn't real.  She seemed a little concerned but not shocked.  She was just stating what Kacey had shared with the whole class.  So, when I came across this letter on social media, I found it quite timely.  I have added my own children's names to the letter.  The letter is a way to keep Christmas magical for kids while having some fun around the wonder of childhood and allows them still believe (no matter what the age).

Dear Kirra and Jaret,

You asked a very good question: “Are Mom and Dad really Santa?”

We know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and we've had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. We are not Santa. There is no one Santa.

We are the people who fill your stockings with presents, though. We also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way our parents did for us, their parents did for them, and one day you will do for your children. We imagine you will someday love seeing your children run down the stairs on Christmas morning with their eyes open big at the sight of the tree with presents below. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won’t make you Santa, though.  It doesn't make any of us Santa.  Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on year after year. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.  Santa is lots and lots of people who keep the spirit of Christmas alive. 

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 we have been his students, 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, we are not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.  

We love you and we always will.

Love,
Mom and Dad