Well I'm afraid Christmas has lost it's magic for Sara. It makes me a bit sad. I'm such a practical mother, I hope I haven't ruined the magic of it all. Because you see - Christmas is magical. Little miracles happen. It is joyful time of year with lots of reminders of God and his Son and their love for each of us through other people. Many a Christmas started off seeming like we would have very little and the kids thought they might get nothing, and magically those presents would still be under the tree. Year after year, somehow it happened. We adults fretted over it way to much. Perhaps the kids could sense it and it dampened spirits. Shame on me for not having more faith and being more joyful about it all. For Christmas really is about Joy! I'm learning still.
I found this letter while perusing Pinterest and it made me cry. Cry, because this mother found a beautiful way to tell the truth as her daughter requested and still keep the magic. That's what I want for our family always. I know it's not the same with all of my family grown up past believing in Santa, but I think we're never to old to BELIEVE in things including the Magic of Christmas.
Taken from "Maybe Means Probably Not" blog by Martha Brockenbrough who is a writer, teacher and a mom who lives in Seattle. Her daughter, Lucy is in 3rd grade and she and her mother write notes back and forth to each other. Isn't that a brilliant idea! :)
"I NEED TO KNOW, she wrote, using capital letters for emphasis. ARE YOU SANTA? TELL ME THE TRUTH."
"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"
reference: http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/truth-about-santa
MY heart is filled with joy and I am grateful to be on Santa's team too.
