Today, a friend shared a link on facebook about a letter a mother wrote to her daughter regarding Santa Claus. You can read the whole story HERE. Reading the letter made me teary because it really encompasses who Santa really is. The letter said:
Dear Lucy,
Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”
I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)
I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.
This won’t make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.
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 I have been his student, 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. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mama
My favorite part is, "Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I'm on his team." I am so glad I get to be a part of the Santa team with my kids. I put a lot of thought into picking out the perfect gift for them each Christmas. We, as a family, also put a lot of thought into giving to others this time of year too. One of the most treasured traditions we've started is choosing a toy for Toys for Tots. We set a budget and allow the kids to chose a gift to put in the Toys for Tots box. I know the boys don't quite understand the concept yet but Breena definitely does. The older I get the more truth I find in the phrase "to give is better than to receive". The satisfaction I get from giving- whether it be to my own family or a stranger far exceeds the benefits of receiving a gift. I am happy to be on Santa's side. I hope you are on his team too!
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