I indulge in a love affair every year at Christmas time with an older man who has a bit of a weight problem and truly never heard of the Atkins diet, but he’s a flashy dresser with an even flashier means of transportation. He’s generous, possibly to a fault, and I don’t usually go for a big, ZZ-Top style beard, but he’s the exception. My home is filled with images of this man – his face is even on my Christmas ornaments. My husband doesn’t mind my interest. He’s not in the least bit jealous. In fact, my darling husband, a man who reminds me more than a little bit of Clark Griswold, searched Ebay to find an old, somewhat cheesy plastic rendering of him that was first crafted in the sixties. So, who is this mystery man?
You guessed it – Santa Claus, that jolly resident of the North Pole who now attracts NORAD’s interest every Christmas Eve. Long before Santa’s sleigh was tracked on radar, Santa became an indelible part of American culture. A century before Macy’s Thanksgiving parade ushered in the Christmas season, the poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas introduced the image of Santa Claus that many Americans cherish. From the young toddler sitting on Santa’s lap to the homeowner competing with his neighbor to have the grandest light display in the neighborhood, the image of a jolly old man with a white beard, red suit, and reindeer at the ready brings to mind the joy and warmth of Christmas.
Amazingly, Santa’s image became a vital part of America’s Christmas tradition during the Civil War. Cartoonist Thomas Nast’s portrayal of Santa on the cover of the January 3, 1863 edition of Harper’s Weekly depicted Santa seated on his sleigh, complete with hat and beard, presenting gifts to Union soldiers on the battlefield. Three decades later, an eight-year-old girl, Virginia O’Hanlon, wrote a letter to the New York Sun that spawned one of the most famous editorials in history, Francis Church’s response. Church, a former Civil War correspondent who’d seen man’s inhumanity to man in vivid terms, responded with the immortal line, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. His touching, philosophical response viewed the existence of Santa in terms of love and goodness and giving.
One of my most enduring images of Santa emerged from the classic movie Miracle on 34th Street. The classic film charmed generations. Remade decades later, the premise was the same – Santa is real, if only in our hearts. What a lovely message to remember during the holiday season.
What images bring Christmas to mind most vividly for you? Leave a comment for a chance to win my new release, Surrender to Your Touch.
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0 COMMENTS
Kathleen Bittner Roth
13 years agoOh, I love Miracle on 34th Street! Just love it. I am currenlty living in Budapest and I think this city will be my favorite for memories. The city is lit up so beautifully with all white lights. There is a castle in the park down the street and the huge moat has been turned into a skating rink. When I went walking yesterday they were playing Christmas music to skate by, choirs singing songs like Oh Holy Night in Hungarian, but you can tell the tune. What makes it all so special is that none of this was allowed during the Communist era. Christmas was held secretly behind closed doors with curtains drawn and only family because even your cousin could be a spy. I think that is why they go all out now. Wow. Dreamy
Victoria
13 years ago AUTHORMiracle on 34th Street is one of my favorites, too…I even like the remakes, though the Natalie Wood version remains my favorite. Budapest sounds absolutely beautiful! Perhaps you'll share some pictures on my blog 🙂
Samanthya Wyatt
13 years agoDear Victoria,
Coffee Time is a great way to relax and enjoy a good book. I too love Christmas romances during the holiday season. Images of a fire and a tree – the only things lighting the room – and then a knock on the door and Mr. Right shows up.
Yep. Time for a good book. Keep Writing.
Samanthya
Abigail-Madison Chase
13 years agoI love Miracle on 34th Street but my favorite image of Santa is from Coke Cans…
Joya
13 years agoGreat post, Victoria. "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story" tie for my favorite movies at Christmas. Congrats on your release and have fun watching as many Christmas movies as you can. 🙂
Victoria
13 years ago AUTHORThanks, ladies…I really do like "It's a Wonderful LIfe"…the end always brings tears to my eyes, even though I know what's coming. I appreciate your stopping by 🙂
Victoria
13 years ago AUTHORThe winner of the Surrender to Your Touch is Joya. Thanks to all of you for your comments 🙂