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This just in: bless us everyone

This just in: bless us everyone

by Wolf Pascoe on December 24, 2010

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Posting a day early. I have intelligence pertaining to extraordinary events brewing tonight.

Much ado lately about the existence of Santa. Opinions vary widely. Here’s some. Here’s some more.

The map above is from the NORAD website, which tracks Santa every 24 December, beginning with lift off from the North Pole:

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If you are believers, I recommend you browse the website with your children. It contains much useful information, such as Santa’s route:

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Santa usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west. So, historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. But keep in mind, Santa’s route can be affected by weather, so it’s really unpredictable.

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There is also eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon’s famous 1897 letter to Santa via the New York Sun:

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You can listen to the editor (Francis Church’s) response:

[haiku url=”https://justaddfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/virginia.mp3″]

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NORAD jets provide video glimpses of the sleigh at various points of interest. For example, here he is over Paris:

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Caveat: the NORAD site is convincing.

Nick is the same age as Virginia was when she wrote her letter. He’s long ago given up talking to the fairies who live under the Nasturtium in our front yard.

Recently, he told Nora and me that he believes he’s located the source of his Christmas gifts and it is us. Nevertheless, he was curious when I showed him the NORAD site.

When I played the video for him his response was definitive.

He said, “So he’s real then.”

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Merry Christmas to all.

Any thoughts on Santa? I’d love you to add your comment below. I (nearly) always write a response here.

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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Sirena December 24, 2010 at 8:16 pm

Well, if NORAD says there’s a Santa, who am I not to believe. Even though I figured out very early on that it was our parents who were supplying the gifts under the tree, I will reconsider given this new information, just like Nick….

Have a good one!

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Wolf Pascoe December 24, 2010 at 8:24 pm

If you can’t trust the government, who can you trust?

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David December 24, 2010 at 11:25 pm

Bravo, you eeked out another bit of time for Santa! I know the day is coming when my daughter…and I’m gonna cry that night.

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Wolf Pascoe December 25, 2010 at 12:50 pm

I wasn’t actually trying to do that. But Nick is more excited about opening his presents this year than ever.

Every few hours today he’s been saying, “Let’s see where the sleigh is now.” Then we check, and sure enough, Santa gets closer.

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Barbara December 25, 2010 at 1:05 am

So sweet that NORAD devotes all these resources to maintaining this mythology. I’m in my 60s, but I still remember vividly the moment I realized the whole Santa thing was a crock. It was when I noticed “Made in Illinois” stamped on an air rifle my brother had been given by Santa. But I wouldn’t have noticed that if I hadn’t been at an age to get it. I got it. And moved on. I still have fond memories of seeing the empty coffee cup and empty plate with cookie crumbs from the pick-me-up we had left for Santa. Wow – Santa was actually HERE!!
Thanks for the nice post.

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Wolf Pascoe December 25, 2010 at 12:59 pm

We’ve never left cookies. Imagine, he actually ate them!

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David Petrie December 25, 2010 at 3:33 am

Just saw this in time to show it to my ten-year-old son as I tucked him into bed. He hadn’t asked if the stories were true this year, but when I told him there were videos of Santa taking off tonight he quickly sat next to me to take a look.

Thank you.

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Wolf Pascoe December 25, 2010 at 12:53 pm

So glad I didn’t listen to that writerly voice saying, “This is so dumb. Everybody knows about this.”

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Kate December 25, 2010 at 7:32 am

Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of children who believe all around the world. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.

~Happy Christmas and Merry New Year from our family to you and yours

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Wolf Pascoe December 25, 2010 at 12:56 pm

Kate,

Thank you for this beautiful note, and for the beautiful Christmas gift you gave to so many.

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