No Santa Claus?

If you read my post yesterday, you know it started with the story of when it was first suggested to me that Santa Claus does not exist.

In the words of Francis Church, author of the famous editorial Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, that was printed for the first time in the New York Sun in 1897:

"No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."


Church's wisdom in his response is just as relevant today as it was when written.

Today, I am sharing a link to the Newseum in New York City and that wonderful editorial. As a journalism teacher, I always used this editorial right before Christmas as an activity for my high school students. It often was a part of my student's semester exam. I had them read the article and then write a modern day response. Their responses were always inspiring.

Many years ago, there was a made for television version of a movie surrounding this story. It was a wonderful holiday movie, although it took liberties with the original story. I taped the movie and showed it for several years to my journalism classes. Long gone is that old VHS taped from television movie. I have tried to find a copy of it, to no avail. It is a movie worth a remake.

Here is a link to the Newseum and Church's editorial. Also, if you are not familiar with the Newseum, take some time to explore. It is a fun place to visit.