Hello Everybody,

I was looking over my Naughty/Nice lists this morning, reading a few letters, and I suddenly realized I'd completely forgotten to address an issue that seems to come up every year -- namely, if I am real or not. I always think I've covered that one, but evidently it's still kicking around.

Let me start by saying that even though I try to counter them by doing more and more and more every Christmas, a few folks remain in doubt of my existence. I don't know their reasons -- Cynical? Sad? Hopeless? -- and to tell the truth, it doesn't really matter, because to them, nothing I could do would prove it.

But to those of you who may not have made up your minds, let me start by asking you to imagine this: If I didn't exist, what would happen at Christmas? Sure, someone would string up some lights, or make a big dinner, even sing a few seasonal songs, or exchange a few presents. But (and I say this without trying to sound egotistic) where would the magic be? The love? The excitement and mystery?

Think about when you first learned about Santa. Remember? It was like you had a special friend, one whom you saw only once a year, even though you knew he was around because you saw his picture and heard people talking about him. And you knew that friend loved you unconditionally -- that he was always looking out for you, that he had your best interests at heart 100% of the time.

What did that feel like? Do you remember?

That feeling is what it feels like when something (or someone) is real. There are a lot of things we accept in life, even though we can't prove them: Love, for example, or certain kinds of ghosts, or even stories and beliefs that form the world's religions. Something doesn't have to sit at your kitchen table to exist. If we know it, deep down, it's real.

I'm not going to pretend that it's easy to explain how I do my job -- organize the lists, make the toys, load the sleigh, squeeze down every chimney of every house of every boy and girl in the world. (And let me tell you, building codes have allowed some pretty skinny chimneys lately!) Some things I have to accept without an explanation -- I can't really explain how the stock market works, say, nor how black holes work -- and I'm hoping you can, too.

The good part is that whether or not you believe in me, I believe in you, and believe you love Christmas as much as I do.

One more thing: Just because someone doesn't believe in me, doesn't automatically put them on the Naughty list. Sometimes they just need some reassurance. If you DO believe in me, though, you can be assured that I've got you listed under Nice.

Hope that helps clear everything up.

See you soon,

Santa