I don't know my nearly-seventeen-year-old son's official stance on Santa and E. Bunn, and I think he prefers not to discuss it. He brought Santa home from pre-school and I have followed his lead on that-- I'm not anti-Santa, but I was not comfortable front-selling him the story.
He was a firm believer for a long time. I think he was eleven when he asked me, intensely, whether I *worked* for Santa and E. Bunn. I told him that I didn't know what kind of answer he wanted: that there were a number of true ones. And he said no more.
We haven't left out cookies and carrots for years, and I haven't written thank you notes from elves, reindeer, saints or rabbits.
Now, talking about impertinence, I'm curious about something. You might or might not feel like answering my curiosity, and I don't expect it-- but I hope you'll forgive the question. I wonder in what sense you continue to identify as a fundamentalist Christian. Is it similar to your identification of yourself as a hillbilly, which I feel that I understand?
Thanks always for your many and varied good works.
Once a fundamentalist, always a fundamentalist. I no longer cling to the notion that we are the only ones with the road map to heaven. I don't think Jesus was a blond, blue-eyed Norwegian. I know that women played a big role in the early church -- a vital role. But that training makes you USELESS for a lot of context and nuance, and there are still a raft of jokes I have to have explained to me. That's how I identify.
On Christmas Eve we switch out the outside lights on our garage from regular white bulbs to one red and one green bulb. If someone asks us about it we tell them it’s to make it easier for Santa to find us. The responses range from laughter and enjoyment to eye rolling to downright grumpiness, kind of like when you wear a Santa cap to the grocery store. I guess what I’m saying, whatever the roots of your Christmas spirit, that I choose to interpret the “Season of Light” to mean, at least in part, lightness of being.
Huh. I didn't know we shared library trusteeship. Fun times.
This is a lovely piece on many levels.
Might I respectfully share one thing about the movies? Miracle on 34th - yes! Even a Jewish girl from an Orthodox background can love that (and does). It's a Wonderful Life? Once I noticed that one of the reasons to return was to save Donna Reed from a life of librarianship?!?.... not so much. :D
Isn’t it great? And I’ve read this critique of Mary in the movie. I always interpreted it that she wanted a family. She didn’t seem happy as a librarian, but I didn’t interpret that as a slam against libraries or librarians.
Thank you for doing these letters and keeping Santa alive. He is the spirit of love in all of us.
I never wrote to Santa as a kid but did make a list that my parents said they’d send to Santa. Same for my kids. In our home, there was a little Christmas tree outside in the hallway their bedroom doors. They decorated it with ornaments they made. Santa left a letter and a book for each of them. They were allowed to get them before Mom and Dad got up. Santa spent a lot of time personalizing these letters and addressing their concerns. I think it meant a lot to them even though Santa was quite tired writing them out on Christmas Eve. 😉
You make a great Santa.
I don't know my nearly-seventeen-year-old son's official stance on Santa and E. Bunn, and I think he prefers not to discuss it. He brought Santa home from pre-school and I have followed his lead on that-- I'm not anti-Santa, but I was not comfortable front-selling him the story.
He was a firm believer for a long time. I think he was eleven when he asked me, intensely, whether I *worked* for Santa and E. Bunn. I told him that I didn't know what kind of answer he wanted: that there were a number of true ones. And he said no more.
We haven't left out cookies and carrots for years, and I haven't written thank you notes from elves, reindeer, saints or rabbits.
Now, talking about impertinence, I'm curious about something. You might or might not feel like answering my curiosity, and I don't expect it-- but I hope you'll forgive the question. I wonder in what sense you continue to identify as a fundamentalist Christian. Is it similar to your identification of yourself as a hillbilly, which I feel that I understand?
Thanks always for your many and varied good works.
Once a fundamentalist, always a fundamentalist. I no longer cling to the notion that we are the only ones with the road map to heaven. I don't think Jesus was a blond, blue-eyed Norwegian. I know that women played a big role in the early church -- a vital role. But that training makes you USELESS for a lot of context and nuance, and there are still a raft of jokes I have to have explained to me. That's how I identify.
Thanks! It's very kind of you to reply. :)
Not at all. I love talking about this stuff so long as people aren’t looking for logic in my reasoning.
On Christmas Eve we switch out the outside lights on our garage from regular white bulbs to one red and one green bulb. If someone asks us about it we tell them it’s to make it easier for Santa to find us. The responses range from laughter and enjoyment to eye rolling to downright grumpiness, kind of like when you wear a Santa cap to the grocery store. I guess what I’m saying, whatever the roots of your Christmas spirit, that I choose to interpret the “Season of Light” to mean, at least in part, lightness of being.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas!
Backatcha!
Huh. I didn't know we shared library trusteeship. Fun times.
This is a lovely piece on many levels.
Might I respectfully share one thing about the movies? Miracle on 34th - yes! Even a Jewish girl from an Orthodox background can love that (and does). It's a Wonderful Life? Once I noticed that one of the reasons to return was to save Donna Reed from a life of librarianship?!?.... not so much. :D
Merry Christmas! And thanks!
Isn’t it great? And I’ve read this critique of Mary in the movie. I always interpreted it that she wanted a family. She didn’t seem happy as a librarian, but I didn’t interpret that as a slam against libraries or librarians.
You are a national treasure and a truly inspired responder to Santa letters.❤️
The Santa Spirit comes over you and you can't help yourself. I don't know about a national treasure, but thank you!
Thank you for doing these letters and keeping Santa alive. He is the spirit of love in all of us.
I never wrote to Santa as a kid but did make a list that my parents said they’d send to Santa. Same for my kids. In our home, there was a little Christmas tree outside in the hallway their bedroom doors. They decorated it with ornaments they made. Santa left a letter and a book for each of them. They were allowed to get them before Mom and Dad got up. Santa spent a lot of time personalizing these letters and addressing their concerns. I think it meant a lot to them even though Santa was quite tired writing them out on Christmas Eve. 😉
What a wonderful tradition. I love this.
That is so cool you do this! That last one...got me.
That is such a sweet tradition! I don't think we could do it in my town -- too many kids and not enough volunteers.
If you divided them up...or sent the letters to Ivoryton.