A Mom's Response to her child's question, Are you Santa?

Over on Pinterest I came across this letter a Mom wrote to her child after a persistent question did not go away. You know the one, we've all asked it or heard it!

Are YOU Santa? Is Santa for real?

Here is the letter. I've adapted it somewhat for our family.

Dear _______,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: "Are you Santa?"

I know you've wanted the answer to this question for a while, and I've had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa. I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my Mom did for me, and the same way her Mom did for her. (Optional- and yes, Daddy helps, too. Of course add whoever helps do this.)

I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them running to the tree on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won't make you Santa, though. Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He helps teach children how to believe in something they can't see or touch.

It's a big job, and it's an important one. But the power to believe is based in the love that only comes from Jesus. And throughout your life, you will need HIS love to believe in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. Your strength from Jesus helps to believe in things you can't measure or even hold in your hand. HIS grace will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

So, Santa is just another teacher, and I have been his student. Now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he's helped fill with joy and those who want to bring happiness to their loved ones.

With full hearts, people like me (optional- add, and who else helps too) take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is part of love and magic and hope and happiness that our life can bring from the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. And we are all invited to be on HIS team! Merry Christmas!

I Love you and I always will.

Signed, _____________