Actual letter to a pre-adolescent child on Christmas morning.

Dear (Name of Child),

For the past decade, I have watched you grow into the bright person that you are. And every year at Christmas, wherever in the world you may be, I fly into the night to bring you gifts that cause your eyes to twinkle with anticipation. This year, you may have heard from your friends that I, Santa, am not real; that there is no magic to my existence. But I know that in every doubting heart, there is a small, itching, corner that wants to believe. So, here’s the truth — I am not just a jolly man in a red coat who gives gifts to all good boys and girls on Christmas day. I represent the magical spirit of Christmas.  I am real in spirit and intent, flavored with good and godly ideas of love, giving, caring, and helping.  I have been around longer than any one has lived, and my job as Santa is to teach children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe–in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. But my child, above all, you also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

The spirit of Christmas is the magic it brings. It is found in the spirit of love and giving.  As children get older, parents start helping me with giving presents because just like you, they were kids once and they also learned about the love and giving spirit of Christmas. Since you are older now, you can understand that the true spirit of Christmas lives not just in me but in so many people. People like your parents, who can bring love, magic, hope and happiness to others just as I have done for so many years (and will continue to do so for younger children.) The best part is that anyone can become a doer and bearer of these things…making someone’s day brighter, someone’s burden a little lighter, by showing them there are things to look forward to in this world you live. So when your friend/s tell you Santa is not real, think of the magic you have felt in your own life.  What do you call that moment when you are completely and totally immersed in the book world of adventure, and you hear the characters talking to you, as you imagine the scene in your head?  Isn’t it magic? When you can bring laughter, excitement, swashbuckling or playful moments of your imagination into the world around you as an expression of your creativity, isn’t it magical? So too am I.

Life is miraculous, magical and wonderful, just like Santa, but only if you are willing to believe in the mystery will you be able to see it as such. Choose to let it go and the magic will disappear, just as with the belief in Santa. See me as the spirit and intent of all that is good in love and giving and the magic will unfold and last.

You have been a very good kid, and your parents and I are very proud of you and your achievements. I know it was hard to move to another country far away from friends and other family members. and adapt to a completely different environment. But YAY, look at what you’ve achieved.!!! Magical!! You will find a few small items from me under the tree, but please thank your parents for the large gift which did not fit under the tree.

Merry Christmas!

With Love,
Santa Claus