Dear Santa

Yesterday in the airport, there were two very excited kiddos sitting near me at the gate. Santa had just called them! And he had asked if they were going to be good on their plane flight, if they were obeying mommy and daddy and if they were being kind to each other.

I thought Santa had pretty good timing.

As they were chattering away about Santa, the little girl turned to her brother and said, "I TOLD you he was real! He just used the phone!"

And then I started thinking of a day in the not-so-distant future when my nephews may be asking if Santa is real. How would I respond? The "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" has already been done and I love it. I do think that the image of Santa is a manifestation of the Christmas spirit in everyone. But what else?

So I thought of this answer. Written from Santa. Because who better to ask if he is real than the man himself. And who better than Santa to help the boys remember why we celebrate Christmas.

Dear Isaiah,

Thank you for my note. Your handwriting is very nice.

You asked me a very good question. Sometimes in the North Pole, we answer good questions by asking good questions back. For example: “Is Narnia real?” Let me know what you think, after you decide.

Someday, you may grow too big for me. Many children do. But, you will never grow too big for Jesus. No matter how old you get, He will become more wonderful and more real to you as each Christmas passes. You can never outgrow Him. Ever.

If I fade, Jesus will become brighter to you. And if I become smaller, He will become larger. His adventures are exciting, His gifts are beautiful, and the friendship that you have with Him will last your whole life … even beyond. His is the best story of all, and I am happy for mine to help you to find it.

In fact, that’s why I’m here. My job, you see, is a lot like the job of Mr. Beaver in Narnia — I point you to the King.

Now, if you wouldn’t mind answering a question for me, I could also use some help. Someone once told me that little girls are made of sugar, and spice, and everything nice — and that little boys were made of snakes, and snails, and puppy dog tails. Is that for real?

Love,
Santa