Tis the season of the paradox, and innocence

by Darryl Wilkinson

The modern Christmas season is a study of the paradox.

People will keep their CD players going all hours of the day playing “Silent Night.” Mothers go out and get the children something for their father to play with.

Christ’s birthday is a holiday for everyone, even for the atheists. Sadly, for the unbelieving, it’s a holiday on which neither the past nor the future is of so much interest as the present …even if the present is the wrong size and doesn’t quite fit. And, for some of those who do believe in Christ, there’s no room for any belief in a Santa Claus.

That, too, is sad …that our thinking is so narrow as to exclude what is good if kept framed in its innocence. That is why we so frequently repeat one of the most famous editorials ever written in so many of our Christmas editions. This year, again, we feature Francis P. Church’s editorial, “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” on page 32 of this issue.

This splendid editorial response first appeared in the The New York Sun in 1897 — over a hundred years ago — and was reprinted annually until 1949 when the paper went out of business. So, it doesn’t seem so bad whenever we forward that tradition through this little community newspaper on the prairies of North Missouri.

The matter before us is timeless. How have you answered, or someday how are you going to answer, the simple question, “Is there a Santa Claus?”

Virginia’s question found its way into the hands of a veteran editor, Francis P. Church, the son of a Baptist minister. Church had covered the Civil War for The New York Times and had worked on the The New York Sun for 20 years, more recently as an anonymous editorial writer.

Church, a sardonic man, had for his personal motto, “Endeavor to clear your mind of cant.” When controversial subjects had to be tackled on the editorial page, especially those dealing with theology, the assignments were usually given to Church. Now, he had in his hands a little girl’s letter on a most controversial matter, and he was burdened with the responsibility of answering it.

“Is there a Santa Claus?” the childish scrawl in the letter asked. At once, Church knew that there was no avoiding the question. He must answer, and he must answer truthfully. And so he turned to his desk, and he began his reply which was to become one of the most memorable editorials in newspaper history.

And that presents another Christmas paradox. For Church married shortly after the editorial appeared in print. He died in April, 1906, leaving no children.

Of course, the greatest Christmas paradox lies in the greatest story ever told. A baby born to a virgin. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords born in a manger. The omnipotent dying on a cross, then arising from the dead. Christ’s birth marks the start of the greatest event in the history of mankind. And through Him we are commissioned to be reborn, to come unto Him like innocent children. This is the celebration of Christmas.

But I think there is room for Santa Claus in the Christmas holiday. Yet, how far we have drifted into the depths of our plenty and greed for more money — away from what Santa Claus can symbolize. So, please, reread with Virginia, on page 32 …and a Very, Merry Christmas to you!