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In the fall of 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon
sent a letter to the New York Sun asking,
"Is there a Santa Claus?'' 

Little Virginia had been encouraged to do so
by her father, who had advised her,
"If you see it in The Sun, it's so.''

   On Sept. 21, 1897, The Sun answered 
Virginia's letter in an editorial penned by editorial 
writer Francis Church, and his reply has become 
one of the most famous editorials in American history.


Dear Editor,

I am eight 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!!!!
 
 


 

I believe in Christmas
In sleigh bells in the sky
Reindeers with bright noses
Santa dropping by

There he is I see him
Just like every year
Bringing us his goodness
With heart so very dear

Such beauty I do treasure
Not only for the gifts
For spirit of his laughter
The love that he befits

Each year I stand here waiting
Knowing I will see
The sleigh of love arriving
This joyous day for me

Over hills and mountains
Braving any storm
Heart to share with others
Cuddly soft and warm

Yes I will remember
The reason for his day
The joy of sharing Christmas
God's child was born today

Joy cannot be measured
In sight for all to see
Love to always treasure
With Christmas memories.

~~~

Poem by
~ Francine Pucillo ~
©2001, used with permission
Read more of her poetry here


 


 

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Painting is ©Tom Sierak and used with his permission by
     Moon And Back Graphics to construct this set
 

The beautiful music you are listening
to is called "Memories" by Margi Harrell

Please visit her gallery
for music to lift your spirit and comfort your soul

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Midi "Memories"
by Margi Harrell
is used with permission
and is copyright ©2000 LLERRAH Inc.

Margi has CD's for purchase


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