It is Christmas Eve 2025 and Santa is on the way. He is supposed to visit tonight, and Peanut sleeps next to the fireplace, listening for the sounds of the reindeer landing on the roof. And more than that, she knows that she will get many treats in the morning.
The legend of Santa Claus dates back in history, but the reality of Santa Claus is evident all around us. There is a Santa Claus. If he is not visiting you, then perhaps you have been naughty.
The fact is that for the past 60 years the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has “tracked” Santa’s Christmas Eve journey around the world. You can visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website to see their data. Your tax dollars at work
When Santa Claus came to our house, we ran to the fireplace. I wanted my own bike, and was worried that it couldn’t fit down the chimney.
Santa was Jewish. But don’t tell anybody.
“Miracle on 34th Street” is a movie about Kris Kringle. Kris insisted he was Santa Claus. Doris and her daughter were skeptical of the old man’s claims, and they tried to put him in an institution. A jury trial followed. And the spirit of Christmas was told when tens of thousands of letters arrived at the courthouse in support of Kris Kringle. It was the trial of the century.
My sister and I were jumping with joy when Santa won. The trial proved the collective belief in Santa far outweighs the doubt of some who lack imagination and only believe in the secular.
But it is true that Santa Claus is inspired by a real person. Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Greek bishop known for his generosity. The story told of a poor father who could not afford dowries for his three daughters and then St. Nick threw three gold coins through the window to save the man’s daughters from slavery. The coins landed in stockings drying by the fireplace.
As we get older we go from getting the gifts to giving the gifts. The spirit of the season lives in the smiles we share with others. You can see the spirit of Christmas all around us. You can see it in the love from people like Jimmy Palmieri who raised funds to provide blankets for those in need, or the team at Handle With Care who are spending this holiday supporting three trans youth who are unable to celebrate Christmas because their families do not support them. https://gofund.me/42b6cffce.
I am so thankful, and we should all be thankful to live in a city where the spirit of Santa is around us all year round. Our Human Services Commission works hard to lift up those who need something to believe in and a hand up. I’m pretty sure Santa is alive and well in WeHo.
Merry Christmas Everybody!
