top of page
Storytime
We didn't come up with this story, but we DID revise it and added more of a storybook touch! This story contains the essence of what we do and we wanted to share it with all of our friends!
"Dad, I think I'm old enough to know now. Is Santa Claus real?"
Not being the world's fastest thinker, I stalled for time. "Well, I think you're old enough to know. But, before I tell you, you have to answer a question. The truth can be a dangerous gift. Once you know something, you can't 'un-know' it. Once you know whether or not he is real, you will never again understand or relate to him as you do now. So, my question is this: Are you sure you want to know the truth?"
My son paused for a moment to think. His little teeth gnawing on his lower lip. "Yes. I want to know the truth."
"Okay, then. Here is the truth: There IS a Santa Claus."
"Really?!" My son said excitedly.
"Yes, really, but he's not an old man with a white beard and big belly dressed in red and white."
My son's face screwed up into a quizzical look so I hurriedly continued.
​
"That's just what we tell kids until they're older like you and ready to know the truth. You see, kids are too young to understand the true nature of Santa so we explain it to them in a way they can understand. The truth about Santa is that he's not a person at all; he's an IDEA. Think of all those presents 'Santa' gave you all these years. I actually bought those myself. I watched you open them. I witnessed the joy and excitement on your face. Did it bother me that you didn't thank me for those gifts that were from 'Santa'? Of course not! In fact, it gave me great pleasure."
My son's face had relaxed and he was watching me intently as I continued to unfold the reality.
"You see, Santa Claus is the idea of giving for the sake of giving; without thought of thanks or acknowledgment. When I saw that woman collapse on the bus last week and called for help, I knew she'd never know it was me who made the call to have the ambulance come. I was being Santa Claus when I did that."
My son's face had gone from staring at me intently, to a look of dawning. He understood what I was trying to say!
His mouth puckered into a silent "Oh."
"So now that you know, you're a part of it. You get to be Santa Claus now, too! That means you can never tell anyone younger than you the secret. They're not ready to take on such a wonderful responsibility. Do you think you can do that? Can you give selflessly and help others in need without being thanked?"
My ever-serious son barely paused to think this time."Yes." He said as his eyes shone with excitement. "I can do that!"
bottom of page