Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

A Timeless Letter That Continues to Inspire

In the heart of the holiday season, there exists a letter that has warmed countless hearts and kindled Christmas spirit for generations. Penned by Francis P. Church in 1897, the letter, titled "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," serves as a testament to the enduring magic of the season. Learn about the spirit of hope, belief, and love as we journey through the words of this cherished letter.

Dear Editor—

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it

in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical

age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not

comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s,

are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared

with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the

whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion

exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how

dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no

Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this

existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which

childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to

hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did

not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is

no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither

children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s

no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are

unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering

the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest

men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that

curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in

all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia,

nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Francis B. Church

Editor of the New York Sun

1897

 

Why Virginia's Question Still Resonates

As we conclude our exploration of the iconic letter by Francis B. Church, we are reminded that, just like Virginia's timeless question, the spirit of Christmas lives on in our hearts. The belief in Santa Claus, symbolizing the magic of the season and the power of faith, continues to inspire acts of kindness, generosity, and love. The words of this letter have transcended time, resonating with people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. It is a message that encourages us to believe in the goodness of the world, the beauty of imagination, and the importance of spreading joy. As we gather with loved ones and embrace the holiday season, let us carry Virginia's question with us, reminding ourselves that, indeed, the spirit of Christmas exists as long as we hold it dear in our hearts.

 

The Origin of "Yes, Virginia"

In the late 19th century, the notion of Santa Claus was deeply embedded in Western culture, but skepticism began to cast a shadow over the holiday spirit. It was against this backdrop that a young girl named Virginia O'Hanlon found herself questioning the existence of Santa Claus. Virginia's inquiry reached the editorial desk of the New York Sun, a prominent newspaper at the time.

 

On September 21, 1897, the New York Sun published Virginia's heartfelt question in a letter to the editor, seeking to resolve her doubt about Santa Claus. In response, Francis Pharcellus Church, a seasoned journalist and editor, penned the now-famous reply. His eloquent and compassionate words reassured Virginia and, by extension, generations to come, that the spirit of Santa Claus, the embodiment of joy, generosity, and goodwill, was very much alive.

 

Church's letter beautifully articulated the intangible yet profound aspects of the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of faith, imagination, and the enduring belief in the goodness of humanity. This eloquent reply was not only a response to a young girl's query but also a timeless message that has continued to resonate with people, capturing the essence of Christmas for well over a century. It remains a cherished reminder of the power of belief and the enduring magic of the holiday season.

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