Yes, Virginia … and our other 49 states, there is, and will continue to be, a United States of America.
In history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, written to the editor of the New York Sun in 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon asked for a definitive answer as to whether there is, or is not, a Santa Claus.
Behind Virginia’s letter is a concept we are all too likely to forget in these fraught times. Although she is questioning the existence of a mythical figure, underlying her question is a basic premise with powerful political acumen. It has to do with the spirit of humanity and, when applied to our country, the spirit of our nation.
There are ample issues for disagreement and dissension in the United States, intensified by a political system embracing extremes. Human rights debates, racial equality, gun legislation or the lack thereof, abortion debate, how our children are taught, even how we define an individual — all fodder for argument.
Reeling from our recent election, half our electorate is jubilant with victory, half despondent in defeat. And there is no end to the arguments: controversy over our country’s leadership role in the world, questions about the integrity of our institutions and lawmakers, apprehension about the future, etc. The right veering further right, the left holding desperately to the left. And everybody absolutely believes he or she, or they, are RIGHT!
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We have all been affected by the “skepticism of a skeptical age.” (New York Sun)
But Santa Claus and the United States have more in common than at first glance. That “jolly old elf” and our nation both started as a dream, the embodiment of an idea. And both are sustained by that dream. They may have morphed into skinny mall Santa or been corrupted by contentious claims of “this land is my land and only mine,” but both exist through our belief in them. As Virginia wondered about Santa over a century ago, this holiday season many are wondering and worried about our country.
Yet the core of the United States is something more intangible than its Constitution and laws. Its strength is in the underlying belief in it.
We all love stories. Always, the “story behind the story” involves immersing ourselves in the power of belief.
So, who brings the holiday gifts?
Is it not more important simply to recognize those gifts? Not just our own, but the whole array our families and communities possess by virtue of our U. S. citizenship. How much better than arguing, to abide by that most old-fashioned of sentiments and believe we are “blessed” to live in this country.
Santa Claus and our nation also have this in common. No matter how many letters we send to the North Pole or how many expletives we spew about what is wrong with the U.S., neither acts as Amazon’s Wish Fulfillment Center on steroids. Getting everything we want under the tree is impossible, as impossible as pleasing all of the people all of the time in our vast and diverse country.
Francis Pharcellus Church, the veteran newsman at the Sun, in answering Virginia’s letter, wrote: “there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man … could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance … push aside that curtain … to the beauty and glory beyond.”
Don’t we all love patriotic anthems and holiday carols for their hopeful message of belief in something bigger, whether it is our country or Santa Claus or God? The strength of our nation is not embodied in its headlines and “breaking news.” It is in the hearts of its people. Which is exactly what Church wrote, assuring Virginia of the truth of her belief: “In all this world there is nothing else so real and abiding.”
So, what’s wrong with the United States? Plenty.
But, what’s right with it? Plenty more.
In this season of miracles, let us choose to believe in ourselves.
Lockard is an Iowa resident who regularly contributes to regional newspapers and periodicals. She is working on the second of a four-book fictional series based on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice."
Every year at this time we publish stories that reflect themes and messages of the holiday season. These stories have resonated deeply with our audience in the past perhaps because they contain universal messages that are central to the holiday spirit; messages of love, kindness, hope, generosity that are universal values to peoples of all cultures and backgrounds.
This season we are re-running some popular holiday messages from the past. We hope you enjoyed this update from 2023 as you celebrate this holiday season with family and friends.
All of the staff at The Fulcrum wish you the best this holiday season and hope for peace on Earth and good to all for 2025.
