Viral Story Of Boy Who Died In Santa’s Arms Begins To Unravel

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/CNN) — It was a story many wanted to believe: A terminally ill child gets his last wish to see Santa and dies in his arms.

But the Tennessee newspaper that ran it first now says it can no longer stand by the account and now there’s conflicting reports as to whether this happened.

The Knoxville News Sentinel story quickly went viral after it was published Sunday. USA Today republished the column, which was written by News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable. A host of national news outlets gave it additional coverage, including CNN, who spoke to Santa actor Eric Schmitt-Matzen about his interaction with the boy in his final moments.

“When you get to those pearly gates, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s No. 1 elf, and I know they’ll let you in,” Schmitt-Matzen recalled telling the boy.

I have noticed on the HALLMARK channel and in the retail stores that there is a move to give SANTA more and more CHRIST-like attributes. “BELIEVE” is about SANTA, not JESUS.

SANTA heals people, is with them in spirit. Children are urged to channel him for answers to every kind of problem. SANTA CLAUS is nothing like ST. NICK, who did kind deeds for the needy.

I would think a child would want to see JESUS.

The child will see Him and is now with Him if this is a factual story. A dieing person as in terminal illness is usually on some potent medications which alter their thought process. A very sick child can have severe hallucinations and think some things can help them.

When I was about 10 or 11 I got very sick with viral pneumonia and ran a real high fever. I wanted cold water from the spring running by our house. You'd think I'd ask for ice water instead but illness distorts a persons reality.

This article was simply a childs last wish someone possibly granted him and adults are turning it into a circus. I've been called Santa by kids all the time even in the summer. A game warden joking with me even called me Santa one day while I was out walking along a trail people walk to fishing spots. He wanted a Red Ryder BB gun and a red wagon LOL. I get a laugh from it especially real young kids up to about 8 years old and go on.

When they mature they will put away the things of a child which includes Santa, the Easter Bunny, Mickey Mouse, etc where they should be and reality of beginning to enter adulthood will begin in their lives including Jesus Christ if they have been taught.

Usually by 7-8 most of my friends knew Santa was not real. Usually older siblings spilled the beans or we figured it out. We also knew who Jesus was. We sang Away in the manger, Silent Night, Joy to the world, 12 days of Christmas, and most the traditional Christian Christmas songs in school plays every year and that was after Murray’s court win. Even in high school in the early 70’s we has such freedom and a day before high school graduation met for a church service. Our principal did not lead the service rather a non denomination pastor did but our public high school principal was also an ordained active Baptist preacher. I’m 59. I understand what you are saying. My generation knew the difference.

I beg to differ.

If you are raising the kid with religious instruction I see no problem with the Santa Claus fable. Why you might ask? Because the fable contains the essence of a much larger truth.

Children are unable to understand eternity sin, or mortality or all the subtle nuances that adult can. What they can understand is neat stuff, toys and a deep love from all around them that they will retain in their heart for the rest of their lives.

Now around they time they are 9 or 10 they realize the stuff comes form adults, but the deep joy of Christmas continues for the rest of their life. That helps lead them to G-D and his son.

At some point they realize if there is not G-d then life is pretty grim, a nihilist if they have enough abstract reasoning power. So many turn to look for G-d. If they come from a christen family they will eventually end up with Jesus, and what is a better reminder of him and the promise of a creator that cares about us, and has provided for us, but the joy of Christ’s birth celebration. The best possible gift and the fable of SC in youth makes the reality of JC birth observation inherently a joyful event, not some solemn event noted in passing in a cold churh late at night.

That is the larger truth that is contained in X-mass stuff that is not religious. Remove all Yuel log, the songs, the treats the pagan tree and a most importantly the presents to kids and it is just another high holy day. Big...deal....

I was raised on Santa and as a older man those memories are precious, as is X-mass day full of joy to this day. It is a season of joy for me, when I am able to lift my head out of the details of daily life to see it. That jy has moved form a fable tot he real reason for the joy, but the seed was planted as a 4 year old, the first X-mass I recall.

We certainly can disagree, but the personal attacks are unwarranted (not from you).

I don't agree with your proposition because I've worked in child evangelism. My so-called "Christian" family could not explain the gospel to me....and I asked at a much younger age. So I went through the larger part of my life not knowing Christ. I conclude that it serves no purpose to allow idolatry to supplant gospel truth....at any age. I have found that to be true not only in my life, but in many, many others.

But I appreciate your point of view.

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