Posted on 12/24/2015 7:31:15 AM PST by Old Sarge
The first time I shared this editorial with all my FRiends here was in 2004, when I was icebound in West Virginia heading back from leave to report for mobilization to Iraq.
This year on Christmas Eve, as I have since then, I offer this simple story, a very favorite of mine, for all my FRiends again. Take the time to read it - REALLY read it - and understand that Santa will visit your troops, and he still leaves the greatest gift of them all.
An Old Soldier's Merry Christmas to you all!
"VIRGINIA O'HANLON. "115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] 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 measure by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists 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 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 they 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 man that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, 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 he lives forever. A thousand years from now, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Thanks, Old Sarge, And Merry Christmas to you!
I had nearly forgotten how much fun this was to read!
Merry Christmas Sarge...
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Old Sarge. And Merry Christmas to each and every FReeper FRiend.
My kids are grown. Yet Mrs. R2 and I have one grandchild. He turns 3 on New Years Day. He is truly a joy as we get to see him experience the joys of Christmas and watch him as he looks at the tree, the presents, the lights on the houses and all that is merry and bright this Holiday Season.
In a time such as this, when I (and others) can get hard and jaded at the many things wrong with this world, it is very refreshing to look at a child and remember how we once used to see the world as a good, safe place with new and exciting promises and as we used to greet each day with a promise of joy and happiness.
May each of us have a child-like Christmas this year.
To ALL who make FREE REPUBLIC rock!!
God BLESS you all and God BLESS AMERICA.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, dearest ones. Love to you all on Christmas and for the Holy Season it begins! TWELVE DAYS! HAPPY COMING NEW YEAR!
Amen, to what dear Rita stated, so beautifully!
Thank you and a VERY Merry Christmas, blessed Holy days and Happy New Year, to all.
May His love and peace be with each of you.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!
Sweet Jesus. Love that picture. God bless you in this Holy Season of Christmas.
Very cool,indeed!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you! And Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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