The Season of Believing

Francis Church probably had a greater grasp of reality than all of us. The San Francisco editor said, "Just because nobody sees Santa Claus, 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 ..."

Just as we tell our children every Christmas, the instant they stop believing in the jolly old man, he will surely disappear.  In other words, the gift of having is always there if we simply believe.

If the concept is so simple, then why it is so hard for us to do? We believe in equality, we believe in love, we believe in peace. But how much do we really believe in something if we can’t actually make it happen?

That’s why we love Santa Claus so much. He gives us a vision. A camouflage, a cloud to cover our fears and disillusions. He transforms our doubts and shortcomings into the miracle of hope. He gives us the strength to believe. Once a year, Santa slips secretly into and out of our lives again, leaving behind everything we need to make a difference in this world.

So, when do we adults start believing what we teach our children? The myth isn’t mythical. Ol’ St. Nick isn’t really stuck in the chimney. Are we waiting for a confirmation – some reassurance that it’s alright to step outside our circle of comfort and make a difference? Waiting for some magical moment before we take a chance or make a memory? Waiting for some revelation before we take that risk that will change our lives into the image we hold or hope for it?

It is unfortunate for us that the most real things are never seen. Real love. Real beauty. Real truth. Real worth. But how lucky we are that at least we can imagine them. We can hold them in our hearts and fondle their meaning like a potter does his clay. We can press them against our intentions until they are inseparable from them. We can relish their meaning, absent the courage to act on them, and keep them neatly tucked in packages with bows until it’s safe to tear them open every year at Christmas.

Written Christmas 2000

This article was written and posted for your enjoyment. Any reprint or reuse, in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without express written permission from the author at alahiker28@yahoo.com. Copyright implied. Copyright pending.