Article March 30, 1907 Issue

THE TRUTH FOR THE CHILDREN

MARTHA J. VOGELL.

Mrs. Eddy's beautiful and helpful advice to the Field, under the heading "Christmas for the Children" (Sentinel, Jan. 6, 1906), vividly recalls an experience which occurred in our home about eight years ago. Our little son was then four years old, and was attending a kindergarten in the neighborhood. As the children in the kindergarten were busy with the preparation for Christmas, much was said and thought about Santa Claus. One or two of the older boys endeavored to enlighten the younger children respecting this myth; but the majority of them would not admit for a second that there was not a real old man Santa Claus, for had not their parents and grandparents and other relatives and friends assured them of the existence of this wonderful and much-loved person? The teachers did not enter into the argument, for they would hardly dare deny what so many of the parents chose to have the children believe to be true.

When our little lad came home that noon, he seated himself in the depths of a large armchair, and looking me squarely in the eyes asked, "Mamma, will you tell me the really truth about something?" I promised to do my best, and he asked, "Well, is there a really old man Santa Claus, who comes down the chimney with a bag on his back, every Christmas eve?" For a second I hesitated, having been brought up as a child to believe in Santa Claus, and laboring under the delusion that there was so much pleasure for the family, as well as for the boy, in having him believe a falsehood about this subject; but remembering my promise to "do my best" in response to his request for the "really truth," I answered, "No, there is not a really old man Santa Claus with a bag on his back, but there is a love in the hearts of people that moves them to spend time and work and money to make others happy on the day we call Jesus' birthday; so you, and papa, and mamma, and all who are working to make somebody happy on Christmas day are part of the great love that some people call Santa Claus."

The child listened attentively, made no response for a few seconds, then with questioning eyes and eager, hopeful voice—showing that it was a question of grave importance to him—he asked, "But there is a really truly God, isn't there?" I was startled for a second, then silently thanked God that I had not been led to deceive the child. We had a happy little talk about God as the Bible teaches, and then the little lad ran off to his play with blocks and toys, merry as could be.

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