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Santa Claus Is Real!
When I was six years old, my older brother and I were determined to see Santa Claus in action, putting presents under our tree. We sat awake in our dark bedroom, listening intently for any sounds that might tell us Santa was there.
Just after 11:00 pm, we heard shuffling on the floor above us. With all the stealth our excitement-filled little bodies could manage, we crept slowly up the stairs. Our house — a split-level entry — had stairs that went to our bedroom in the basement and stairs that opened up right to where the Christmas tree stood. We inched up the stairs until we were just high enough to peer over the remaining steps.
We quickly recognized our parents, kneeling by the tree, organizing gifts.
No red coat. No round belly. No boots. No sound of reindeer on the roof.
Just our parents.
Of course, when you’re little, that kind of discovery can be soul-crushing. As I got older, the sting of that moment faded, replaced by a deep appreciation for the memories my parents worked so hard to create. As my wife and I have seen our own children grow up and stop believing, I’ve reflected back on my parents’ efforts and our own. And lately, I’ve been struck by how easily the world around me reinforces the story of Santa Claus. The twinkling lights, the movies, the songs — all of it paints a vivid picture that…
