There are two people in history that are associated with Christmas. The first is obviously Jesus, but the second is almost just as well known. His name is Santa Claus. However, it took me a little while to get the whole Santa thing. Spoiler Warning: If you believe in Santa, stop reading now!
My parents never told me about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. They figured, I'd find out eventually they didn't exist, and it would save heart break down the road if I didn't think they were real in the first place. Since I had no idea about Santa, I came to my own conclusions about the giver of gifts. My first guess happened when I was about three years old. My parents owned a picture Bible, and would read it to me every night. On this particular evening, the Bible story was about Moses leading the people out of Egypt. In the picture, Moses had a long, white beard that showed his wisdom and flowing silvery hair; a typical Moses picture. However, to a three year old, this was a quaint looking figure. The next day my parents took me Christmas shopping. While we were in the store, we passed an inflatable Santa. Dad, wondering if I knew about Santa, asked who I thought it was. I thought for a moment, but then it all made sense. This inflatable man had a long, white beard and flowing white hair, so it had to be..."Moses!" My dad started laughing and preceded to the checkout isle. My parents never told me my answer wasn't correct so for about three years I thought Moses brought us gifts on Christmas.
My next guess happened when I was about six years old. I finally figured out that Moses was dead, so he couldn't bring Christmas gifts. One day I was busy doing whatever it is a six year old does, when I had a thought. I know someone that brings packages. He comes everyday, and leaves envelopes in our mailboxes. The mailman had to bring our presents! He must have a key to every house on his route, and on Christmas Eve, he sneaks in and leaves gifts under the tree! I think I told my mom this time, and she gave the same response my dad had given three years ago. But again, they never told me I was wrong so the mailman had to bring us presents.
After about three more years I figured out it had to be Santa. However, I wasn't totally convinced. A man in a big red suit with a reindeer sleigh, travels around the whole world in one night and fits through a chimney? The mailman made more sense. But everyone else I knew believed this man existed, so I went with it. I was still skeptical until Christmas Eve of that year. That's when I knew Santa had to be real. My dad had logged on to NORADsanta.org (North American Aerospace Defensive Command for those who don't know) because he had heard they do a mock Santa tracker. This website tracked Santa on his journey around the world on Christmas Eve. It even had 3D computer videos of him flying through cities such as London, Paris, New York, etc. My dad called my brothers and I up to track Santa. I was amazed. Here before me was a radar map, showing where Santa was! It was incredible! I looked at my dad and blurted out, "Santa has to be real, because that's the government, and the government wouldn't lie to us!" Go ahead, laugh, but I was only nine.
I believed in Santa about four more years after that. Eventually I concluded that a man in a suit flying in a reindeer sleigh didn't quite fit into the possible. This conclusion was confirmed when it occurred to me my parents always had a "special night" around Christmas time. I finally asked my parents if he was real. They smiled a kind smile, and said that he wasn't. I wasn't sad, but I was a little disappointed. I knew that he didn't exist, but to have my suspicions confirmed proved it. I remember feeling disappointed because Santa was a sign of universal good. It seemed to me everyone got along because of him. That he brought the gifts so people would know about Jesus. My disappointed faded away Christmas of that year. Whether or not he was real, I still got my gifts!
I am much older now and the biggest lesson I learned from these experiences? The government is anything but honest!
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