Dear Virginia:

When we were going to the Santa Claus book reading at Petunia's Place, Tyler asked me if it was a Santa in a costume or the real Santa that brought presents to our house that we would be seeing. Today in the office, Erika asked me what Tyler believes about Santa Claus. In discussing our "Co-Parenting" Plan with regards to Santa Claus, Doug and I discussed whether Santa would probably visit both of our houses or just the one Tyler was staying at that night.

It seems that Santa Claus is, and has been for years, a much discussed aspect of the holiday season. In fact, in 1897, there was a little girl name Virginia who wrote to New York's Sun Newspaper asking about Santa Claus,

"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "

"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "

"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"

The Response is "history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps."

One passage in particular stands out to me:

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus."

This, for me, draws a loose parallel between the secular expression of Christmas (Santa Claus) and the true "Hero" of Christmas (Jesus). Jesus was (and is) the epitome of love, generosity and devotion. In fact, using Francis Pharcellus Church's words and replacing Santa Claus with Jesus it reads:

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a [Jesus]. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no [Jesus]."

SO TRUE!! I have always considered myself a believer, even though not necessarily "religious", but I have found that raising a son, I am constantly reassessing my beliefs and faith priorities.