E, my 9 year old, told me she had something she needed to talk with me about privately.
She told me that last year she was looking in the dresser of the guest bedroom for some craft thing or another and had found the same fabric Santa had used on her beanbag cover. And she recalled a time on Christmas eve when she'd got up to get water and came to look for me to me to snuggle with her and got a glimpse of me in the family room surrounded by Target bags. So (with a deep sigh), she wanted to know if Santa was real.
I looked her straight in the eyes and said what I believe to be true, "Yes."
Then I asked her if she thought Santa was a man who lived in the North Pole and was surrounded by elves. And she shook her head. She asked if Santa was just someone who gave parents the presents and the parents put them under the tree. I told her not exactly, but sometimes; in her house her mommy and daddy get the things for her and her sister.
I told her Santa is a spirit, a feeling of joy of giving and fun and delight. It's what makes parents want to create fun surprises and feelings of magic and mystery. It is also the spirit that makes people want to give in a big and special way.
We talked about the origins of St. Nicholas who gave out of the joy in his heart and willingness to share in his abundance. And how he was inspired by the great love and generosity of God.
I told her the spirit that is Santa Claus isn't just something that mommies and daddies share but it is what makes people give so much of themselves, especially this time of year. It's what makes people, who sometimes aren't even Christian, go out and pay off the layaways (I explained what that was) for total strangers who would never know who did this generous thing, so that they could give their families a nice Christmas. It is a fun and magical thing.
I then explained that, ultimately, behind all magic is a person or people, meaning people make magic happen. And that magic and miracles were different things. People can make magic but only God can make miracles.
"So you are the one who moves Samantha [our elf]?" she said. "Yes," I confessed.
"I thought so."
She was actually relieved. The questions of a curious and clever child were weighing heavily on her. Her love of believing conflicted with her ability to logically make smart connections, She was actually very happy to learn the truth about Santa.
I asked her if she enjoyed all the magic and mystery and fun. She said "Yes." So we talked about how important it is to not spoil the magic and mystery for anyone else--especially her little sister. She asked if she could still have Santa. I asked if she believed and she smiled broadly, "yes."
Then I told her now that she knew the secret she could sometimes help make the magic. She liked that very much.
She told me that last year she was looking in the dresser of the guest bedroom for some craft thing or another and had found the same fabric Santa had used on her beanbag cover. And she recalled a time on Christmas eve when she'd got up to get water and came to look for me to me to snuggle with her and got a glimpse of me in the family room surrounded by Target bags. So (with a deep sigh), she wanted to know if Santa was real.
I looked her straight in the eyes and said what I believe to be true, "Yes."
Then I asked her if she thought Santa was a man who lived in the North Pole and was surrounded by elves. And she shook her head. She asked if Santa was just someone who gave parents the presents and the parents put them under the tree. I told her not exactly, but sometimes; in her house her mommy and daddy get the things for her and her sister.
I told her Santa is a spirit, a feeling of joy of giving and fun and delight. It's what makes parents want to create fun surprises and feelings of magic and mystery. It is also the spirit that makes people want to give in a big and special way.
We talked about the origins of St. Nicholas who gave out of the joy in his heart and willingness to share in his abundance. And how he was inspired by the great love and generosity of God.
I told her the spirit that is Santa Claus isn't just something that mommies and daddies share but it is what makes people give so much of themselves, especially this time of year. It's what makes people, who sometimes aren't even Christian, go out and pay off the layaways (I explained what that was) for total strangers who would never know who did this generous thing, so that they could give their families a nice Christmas. It is a fun and magical thing.
I then explained that, ultimately, behind all magic is a person or people, meaning people make magic happen. And that magic and miracles were different things. People can make magic but only God can make miracles.
"So you are the one who moves Samantha [our elf]?" she said. "Yes," I confessed.
"I thought so."
She was actually relieved. The questions of a curious and clever child were weighing heavily on her. Her love of believing conflicted with her ability to logically make smart connections, She was actually very happy to learn the truth about Santa.
I asked her if she enjoyed all the magic and mystery and fun. She said "Yes." So we talked about how important it is to not spoil the magic and mystery for anyone else--especially her little sister. She asked if she could still have Santa. I asked if she believed and she smiled broadly, "yes."
Then I told her now that she knew the secret she could sometimes help make the magic. She liked that very much.
I wasn't looking forward to this day, and I'm a little sad it's here, but I'm so pleased she understands the truth and can feel very confident in saying she does believe in Santa and knows Santa is real.
