Editor’s 1897 message of hope still stands the test of time

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Francis B. Church, editor of the New York Sun in 1897, printed his reply to a little girl’s question, “Is there a Santa Claus?” And “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!” was born.

It has gained literary immorality because the message is as fresh and relevant today as it was 127 years ago when he wrote it.

For that reason, we are reprinting his message on this page.

“In all this world,” wrote Church, “there is nothing else as real and abiding” as Christmas.

Borrowing from the words of my uncle Tom Warden, publisher emeritus, describing the article, “He was referring to a tradition of love and caring — the embodiment of Santa Claus — that embraces the spirit of the occasion…a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the one individual in the history of civilization who has done more than any other to alter, guide and influence human affairs and conduct.”

It is because of Dr. Clement Clarke Moore’s poem, “The Visit of St. Nicholas” that we enjoy our concept of Santa today. From this poem — published in 1823 — our image of Santa has “a broad face, and a little round belly that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump — a right jolly old elf.”

We have the Dutch to thank for bringing St. Nicholas to the New World in 1624. They called him Sinter Claes. In 1809 Washington Irving vividly described St. Nicholas as the patron saint of the Dutch colony of new Amsterdam. He wrote of the saint’s annual ride over the tree tops in a wagon filled with gifts.

We can surmise that Dr. Moore read Irving’s popular history containing the account of St. Nicholas. For instead of describing the saint as tall and stately, Moore echoed Irving’s description of him as a sturdy Dutchman who smoked a pipe.

Moore could also have been inspired by an illustration published in 1821, showing St. Nicholas in a sleigh pulled by one reindeer.

After Moore’s poem, Thomas Nast, a well-know illustrator from Germany, gave America his version of St. Nicholas printed in Harper’s Weekly magazine in the 1860s-80s. He called the jolly gent Santa Claus.

Through the years, successive illustrators have added other dimensions to Santa’s appearance until he has become totally unrecognizable from the tall and dignified St. Nicholas who preceded him.

In this week’s edition of The Gasconade County Republican, you will find letters to Santa from area first, second and third-graders. A few weeks ago, we contacted the teachers in the local schools to help us with this project.

Their letters are printed on our special Christmas pages.

During this holiday season, take the time to read their requests to Santa. Of course, some do more than ask for presents. They ask about the reindeer, thank Santa for previous presents and more.

Be aware we typed the letters exactly as they were given to us. This will give you a better appreciation for what Santa has to do when he reads children’s letters from around the world.

In past Christmas editions, we have seen children ask for nothing for themselves, instead making requests for their siblings or parents.

We have also taken calls from parents wanting to know what requests were made of Santa after their child refused to tell them what they had asked for in their letter.

This special Christmas edition also contains several pages of holiday photos our cameras have captured since Thanksgiving.

The many businesses, individuals, churches and industries are making all this possible by delivering you a Christmas message during this blessed season. Please take some time to read their messages of hope and good cheer.

All of this good news reminds us that, indeed, we have ample reason to be thankful when we sit down for a Christmas meal and thank our Creator for the bounty we enjoy.

Much remains to be done before we can lay claim to being a truly benevolent people. Still, we must hope and pray that the spirit of Christmas prepares each of us for the coming year’s challenges.

Despite those cynics whose materialistic world denies such beliefs, there is indeed a Santa Claus…and it is with this realization that the staff of the Republican wishes you and your family a “Merry Christmas!”