The Case for Santa Claus
There used to be a time when fantasy, romance, and whimsy were highly valued, even treasured, by society, especially among our children. Unfortunately, jaded negativity, cynicism, and sarcasm have largely taken their place. Cynicism, in particular, runs deep in our society today. What is cynicism? It’s characterized by a general distrust of others; the feeling that people have an ulterior motive and are therefore only out for themselves. It robs us of our hope and joy and often comes from feelings of hopelessness and bitterness, and it’s not something that happens to a person all of a sudden. Cynicism is insidious and pernicious, gradually taking over a person’s habits and personality, and if left unaddressed, it can destroy a life.
As a result of this growing cynicism and jaded negativity, we are quickly losing our ability to appreciate the beautiful, wondrous, and whimsical in our world. And without this appreciation, all we are left with is what we experience with our five senses. Children, especially, have a need for fantasy and magic in their lives. It should be a natural part of childhood, and believing in Santa Claus is a big part of that. Unfortunately, social media has only exacerbated the problem by exposing children to the pessimistic, sarcastic, and vulgar.
In fact, we all need beauty, wonder, and whimsy in our lives, adult or child. There should not be a time in our lives when we outgrow the need for the qualities that Santa Claus represents; they’re what make this earthly life beautiful and joyous. Parents and children alike can share the joy of Santa Claus, whether it’s visiting Santa at the mall, attending a church event, watching a Christmas movie, playing a board game, or just sipping hot chocolate and listening to Christmas carols.
We must be willing to exemplify the spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus and counteract the cynicism and jaded negativity that have taken root in our society. This is the reason for the existence of the Santa Claus Project. It won’t be easy, but with the help of SCP supporters, we can make a major difference in the lives of families across America, and perhaps even around the world.
