SANTA GLAUS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 101, 15 December 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

SANTA GLAUS

LOVED RELIC OF CHILDHOOD

"Is Santa Clans really true, Muinmj*?" "Yes, darling," mummy answers to her four-year-old inquirer. But when the question is asked by a young sceptic of eight or nine tlie answer must be a little dillerent. The faith of small children in the dear old man who visits them with generous presenls son Christmas Eve is (me of the most delightful parts of Yuletide enjoyment, so long as it is quite unforced. We grows-ups have a sneaking fondness ourselves for the scarletclad, rosy-faced saint whose portrait in poster and advertisement helps to foster the spirit of cheery goodwill. But many a child of seven or so grows out of the implicit faith of earlier years, just as the heroes and 'heroines who peopled his nursery rhymes and fairy talcs emerge into a world of reality as creatures of imagination. He may be secretly sceptical or openly derisive as to the reality of Father Christmas, or he may pretend belief in the fear that the midnight gifts will come no more if lie admits knowledge of their source. Let us be honest with our children. If a child of seven or upwards asks for the truth give it to him; a direct lie will be remembered against you. Sometimes an evasive answer puts off the evil day, however. The mother who said, "Father Christmas is as real as the fairies," set her little one pondering and he guessed the truth without disappointment. One hears with regret of older children who profess to have absolute faith in Santa's reality, because mother said "It is so." No normal child of eleven or twelve can possibly carry on the childish belief without hpyoerisy. Only a foolish parent will encourage it. The children will love "Father" without the appended title just as dearly when they come to know the truth as an outcome of a developing mind.