Dec 9, 2011 3 min read

My 10-year-old daughter asked, “Daddy is there such a person as Santa Claus.” My reply was simple and open-ended.

“What do you think?” I questioned in return.

She explained that many children at her school have been telling her that Santa was just your mom and dad who bought the presents and claimed they had come from Santa and his elves. “Do you believe in Santa, Daddy?” she asked.

I was quick to answer, “I do.” Unexpectedly, I found myself giving the question more thought than I had led her to think.

Do I believe? I absolutely believe. I believe in everything Santa Claus represents. I believe in the preservation of a child’s innocence. I believe in the power of giving graciously for the downright enjoyment of making others happy. I believe in the mystery of Christmas and the personification of good will toward men. I believe that people are by nature; loving, caring, compassionate and empathetic. I want to believe in Santa Claus because his presence lends a certain comfort to my heart. I believe because my grandmother believed. I believe because my parents are believers. My children believe because I want them to believe, not just while they’re young but for the rest of their lives. Santa Claus is the quintessence of all that is right with the world.

Santa’s intentions are pure. His love for children is above suspicion. His thoughtfulness is overwhelming. His image remains untainted. In an era when trust and loyalty are words we see only on military posters, Santa Claus restores a belief in our fellow man, if only for a few weeks a year. Santa does exist, especially in my home but mostly in my heart.

Coincidentally, as I speak of the qualities that Santa Claus symbolizes, I appreciate that he is evocative of a more glorious and wonderful person whose validity is particularly significant. The Son of God’s existence is in question by many non-believers. Only through faith do we believe in Santa Claus and with that same faith, to a greater extent, are we charged with the responsibility of being Christians. Teaching our children to believe in Santa Claus is wholesome and even venerable, but teaching our children about the greatest life ever lived is beyond necessary. The life of Jesus Christ, (The Son of man and The Light of the world) is unparalleled and deserves the recognition of an undeserving yet forgiven humanity.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Your Son. Thank you for the free will to question Your existence and furthermore, thank you for the wisdom to believe in You based on Faith. My faith is my equalizer. In a world threatened by those who choose to travel down a lonely and godless road, make me a beacon of Your light. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”. – Isaiah 53:5. Amen.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a Merry CHRISTmas.

Jason Lohr

Waynesburg