1 Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

One hundred and twelve years ago arguably the most famous editorial ever to be published in an American newspaper appeared in the New York Sun on September 21, 1897, under the heading “Is There a Santa Claus.” After his death on April 11, 1906, the Sun broke its policy of editorial anonymity to announce that Francis P. Church had written this editorial. We share it here for your delight at this holiday season.

We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

“Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.

“Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

“Papa says ‘If you see it in The Sun it’s so.’

“Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

“Virginia O'Hanlon.

“115 West Ninety fifth Street.”

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. 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. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

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.

A very merry Christmas to you all. And God bless us everyone.

2 Quote of the week

"The Atonement is the ultimate gift of both the Father and the Son: of the Father because He allowed His Son to suffer; of the Son because of what He did for us."

— Rollin H. Hotchkiss

(BYU Magazine, Fall 2010, 56;

from a devotional address on Dec. 8, 2009)

3 This week in our family

Our family's calendar for the next two weeks

Wed, Dec 15: Chad & Melissa married 1994 [Kay]
Thurs, Dec 16: Kira's birthday [Dale]
Fri, Dec 17: Ivard & Dorothy married 1934
Sat, Dec 18: Shandi Cleverly-Burdett's birthday [Lyle]
Sun, Dec 19: Brian & Kate married 2003 [Gail]
Mon, Dec 20: Brandon & Nicole married 1997 [Kay]
Mon, Dec 20: Adria Janelle Kersker's birthday [Lyle]

Wed, Dec 22: Doug's birthday [Lyle]
Wed, Dec 22: Crystal Price's birthday [Lyle]
Thurs, Dec 23: Joseph Smith's birthday
Thurs, Dec 23: Dakota's birthday [Lyle]
Fri, Dec 24: Christmas Eve
Fri, Dec 24: Richard & Angie Craine married 2000 [Gail]
Sat, Dec 25: Christmas Day
Sat, Dec 25: Shawn & Shandi Burdett married 2000 [Lyle]
Sun, Dec 26: Jacob Robert Rankin's birthday [Gail]
Tues, Dec 28: Terry & LaWanda Packwood married 1990 [Gene]
Wed, Dec 29: Next issue of newsletter published

If ever we are missing anyone's birthday or anniversary, please let us know.

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family
The last time Lyle posted on Facebook, he wrote: "Enjoying trip up to Washington, been here in Aberdeen area since Nov. 12. Will fly back home the 11th of Dec., so missing the snow we are getting in Idaho but they got some here in Washington. A lot of places set new records for month of Nov."

Kay's family
Chad and Nicolle had a baby girl on December 11 at 3:37 a.m. Kinslee Higley was 5 pounds 15 ounces and was 18 inches long. Nicolle reported, "We are both doing good."

Dean's family
Talmage and Louise blessed their baby, Olivia Louann Cleverly, on fast Sunday, December 5.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the December 1960 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Thurs, Dec 15.  Kay called, he got engaged Sunday. We took Jerry to Boise to air force recruting station to take his physical. Ivard, Jackie & I spent all morning Xmas shopping. We met Jerry at noon, he didnt pass his physical - too nervous so he won't go for at least a yr.

Fri, Dec 16.  I came home from work & got most of my Xmas cards ready to mail, wrote notes in a lot of them. I went up to Dr Lee's & made an appointment for Kay during holidays, mailed cards & got $30. worth of groc.

Sat, Dec 17.  My 26th wedding anniv. Gene was in bed sick all day. Ivard, Ray Dean, Dale & I went to town & got school presents, Xmas tree (4.75) & mailed Lyles Xmas pkg. We ate & they decorated tree.

Sun, Dec 18.  Gene is still sick, flue, I guess. Ray went ward teaching. We all got ready & went to church but Gene came home at 9:30 & I went to bed until time to go to work at 11:

Mon, Dec 19.  Gene was home in bed again today. Ray went to Mutual. They played ball & got beat for first time - Gene is their whole team. Had Turkey dinner at work.

Tues, Dec 20.  Gene still in bed, feels better. Ivard & Jerry went to town to see about the payment we can't make on place & they won't extend it, looks like we will loose it. I made a beanie & apron for Deans school play. Had gift exchange at work, I got a Tussey set.

Wed, Dec 21.  Kay got home tonite. I made the blouse for Deans school play. I never got to bed until after I took Dean in to church to go Xmas carroling & sunday school party. Kay called just as I was leaving for work & Ivard went & got him.

Thurs, Dec 22.  Jerry went & got little kids from school at noon. They woke me up at 3: & I took Kids in to Primary. Kay went to see Bishop & I went & got feed and groc. & Dean a hammer for school play. Ivard, Jerry, Jackie & I went to Kids Xmas school play & Gene & Ray went & played ball. Kay stayed home & watched T.V.

Fri, Dec 23.  We got off work for Xmas holiday don't have to go back until Jan. 9th. I came home & Jerry took Kids to school. I went to bed awhile then I took Jackie to school to Dales party for mothers. brought Kids home & got Ivard & Kay & we went & Paid lites & phone & went to bank & got out laways then went to Caldwell to Gold & Green stamp redemption stores but they were about out of every thing. did some Xmas shopping & came home & ate & all of us but Ivard went in to church Xmas programe & santa clause.

Sat, Dec 24.  I got up & wrapped presents all morning & helped Kids wrap theirs. Lyle called & told Jerry he was comeing up so we got a few things for his Kids. I wasn't supposed to know he was comeing. When we got home Gail - Lynda & Kids were here & brought their presents. They gave me a picture of the 3 Kids, we didn't open any of the rest. I let Debbie & Jeff open one of theirs too.

Sun, Dec 25.  Ivard started on his weeks vacation. Gene got up & did chores then we all got up & opened our presents. We had a good Xmas. I was really surprised I got a deluxe hot point dish washer. Kids were real surprised with record player. Kay played records all day. We ate breakfast & all went to sunday school programe. Lyle, Barbra & boys got here from California about 2:30. They opened their presents & looked at ours & we visited awhile & I fixed supper. I called Gail to tell him Lyle was here & he said for us all to come over tomorrow.

Mon, Dec 26.  at 11: we all got ready & went over to Gails. Lyle & Barbra were already over there. We visited & Lynda fixed dinner & we all ate. Kay was mad at me because we wouldn't go to Salt Lake & I was mad at Ivard. When we got home Ivard said if you're going to Utah you'd better hurry - so we packed like mad & at 7:15 Gene took Ivard & I - Ray - Dean - Dale & Jackie into depot & we caught the traine to Sale Lake. Never even told Lyle goodbye.

Tues, Dec 27.  We got to Salt Lake a 7:30 A.M & I called Ray then called Berniece & she came in from Grantsville & got us at 10:30. Kay called Petersons & they came & got him, he's going to stay at Ruth & Rays & go back to school after holidays with one of professors. We saw what they got for Xmas & visited. Mother fixed lunch. Kids played over to Bernieces most of the day. We went over to Bernieces & had supper & Kent showed us some of their home movies. We all slept over to Mothers but Dean & he stayed with Curtis & Kent.

Wed, Dec 28.  Lyle went home & Jerry went with him.

6 What in the world

First Presidency Christmas message
"In celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ our thoughts turn to that sacred occasion when He was born 'The Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6). He promised: 'He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life' (John 8:12). Truly, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer who was 'wounded for our transgressions . . . and with his stripes we are healed' (Isaiah 53:5).

"Our prayer this Christmas season is that the light and testimony of the Savior's divine mission will come into our hearts and be reflected in our lives and in our homes.

"May each of us be blessed, not only at this Christmas season, but also throughout the coming year. May our faith in Jesus Christ increase as we follow His example in all we do and say."

Bowl games
The first bowl game of the season will be in New Mexico on Saturday, December 18, at 2:00 p.m., with BYU meeting UTEP. Boise State will meet Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl on Wednesday, December 22, at 8:00 p.m. Both games will be carried on ESPN.

Wacky weather
So, what's up with Atlanta being colder than northern Utah? And snow dumping all over western Washington?

7 A final word

We are just ten days away from Christmas. The day we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. A magical time for children and all the young at heart. A holy time for faithful followers of the Savior. A time for family and traditions and joyous music. A season of service and hope and good will. A time, hopefully, when our better natures prevail.

We take this opportunity at this holiday season to wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. And, as expressed by Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, "God bless us, every one!"