True Meaning of Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas movies is the Grinch.  My favorite line in the movie - the one that brings me to well up with tears every.single.time is this one:

"Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more."

By the same token I love watching Linus school those Peanuts kids on the real meaning of Christmas by reciting the Christmas Story, from the bible, by rote.

Oh, I am just a sucker for all the sappy sweet, you-gotta-know-that-Christmas-isn't-about-the-presents things, but the reason my very favorite seasonal movie is Miracle on 34th Street? Is because I, too, believe in Santa.

What, you say?  You don't REALLY believe in Santa?  I mean, honestly?

Yes.  Yes I do.  For real.

You may call Santa something else but whatever he is named, Santa is very, very real.  Oh, I have solid proof.  I've been that parent praying for the same Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch doll or game console that other parents are trading punches for or camping out for for days outside the loading dock at ToysRUs.  Yet I, unlike the other parents, inevitably walk into the store right as they are unloading the box of the most sought after Gift of the Year and manage to procure one with no stress, strife or bruises.

Dia asks for the most ridiculous things.  Komodo Dragon, discontinued toys (a particular E.T.) and a platypus have all been Santa requests.  Every year, Santa finds these non-existent treasures like they are staples on a grocery store shelf.  Last year - the year of the platypus - he not only found the platypus, he even found a book about platypuses (platypi?) written by an author whose name was "Dia." Not even kidding.  He's found us a Malificent's dragon costume all the way from the U.K., won us auctions on eBay and always ensures I get amazing parking spaces.  He's not messing around, that Santa.  He makes certain that the coveted gift - the one so sacred as to be saved off for Santa - is always, always under that tree.


No, Christmas is not about the toys.  Well, yes it is.  But by toys, I mean the magic.  You have to remember that when you are a child, the magic is real.  It's palpable.  And if you - as the parent - if you are quiet, if you put away the well-intended hard knocks lessons for when life actually hands them out and let the kids be kids for real, you can feel the magic too.

Santa is that - the magic, the belief that there is something bigger than us watching out for us.  He's all the good in people.  He's what makes us open up and forgive, make new friends, love each other through everything and anything.  He's all that's right in this world.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.