Day 3 of Christmas Nightlight Readings: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

In September of 1897 a little girl, as most children do at her age, was contemplating the existence of Santa Claus. As she was an astute child (after all she was a doctor's daughter), she thought it necessary to inquire upon the truth. So she decided to write a letter to the editor of The New York Sun, and this is what she penned:

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?

The reply, which we now know was veteran newsman, Francis P. Church, has been one of the most reprinted editorials in history. Not only becoming a published children's book (Yes, Virginia, 1971), but also—with the great sponsorship and the commercialization of Macy's—has become a CBS Christmas special. Even in one of my favorite Holiday classics, "Prancer," the last couple paragraphs are read. After reading the article, even the scroogiest Santa critic, will become a believer of Claus.

The original article from The New York Sun (Sep. 21, 1897)

Day 2 of Christmas Nightlight Readings: A Visit from St. Nicholas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there...

Most of us have the poem memorized (or at least parts of it) and have seen many cartoon shorts depicting the story, but almost no one realizes the impact on Christmas and the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus. Written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1823 after a snow sleigh ride for his children. Of course the concept of St. Nicholas has graced Christmas Day since early dates, but this is the first instance that St. Nick arrived on Christmas Eve being pulled through the sky on a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer. The image described of Santa Claus in this poem is the way we recognize him today: rosy cheeks, snow-white beard, a round belly that "shook like a bowl full of jelly." Prior to this poem—of course there was always St. Nicholas—the concept of Christmastide visitors and Santa Claus varied. This was the first instance that Santa Claus was conceptualized in every American (and later Europe) home and childhood heart.

For further detail on the Santa Claus we know today, this is a great video!

Day 1 of Christmas Nightlight Readings: The Littlest Angel

As I begin, I think it is necessary to start simple, humble, and most importantly precious. One of my favorite stories that was read to me as a child, and read to my parents, was "The Littlest Angel" by Charles Tazewell.

Back in the era of radio entertainment, Charles Tazewell was approached to write a story and this little angel is what he produced. The story first premiered on the Christmas radio show of Manhattan at Midnight in 1939. Later this story would become a children's storybook, and even a feature film.

The story follows the Littlest Angel as he enters Heaven and of course he is not the most angelic of the heavenly host. Often running late to evening prayers, having a crocked halo, singing off-tune in the heavenly choir, and wings that were not practiced in flying, he was often seen as the least of the angels. However, it comes to pass that Jesus is born in Bethlehem, and all of Heaven shows out with gifts to the Savior. The Littlest Angel has little to give, but his single possession left under his bed back home: a box filled with treasures only a little boy treasures. Embarrassed, and thinking his gift irrelevant to the Christ child, he cries and wishes to take his gift back. God, on the other hand, sees the gift as humble and as precious as the birth of His Son. He accepts his gift and from that day till this, the star can still be seen in the sky.

First Annual 25 Days of Christmas Nightlight Readings

I thought it would be high time to start a very blogger tradition! And as we're always bombarded with Christmas movies and specials, I thought it best to go back to where our Christmas movie watching dedication came from (before Bing graced us with "White Christmas" or before the Hallmark Channel took over the made-for-TV Holiday Guide). Before television, the Winter nights were long, dark, and cold—the best way to have family time and make those Winter nights not seem so long, was to gather before the fire and listen to classic stories of cheer and goodwill.

Beginning today (I will not post on Christmas day), I will post those classic stories that we have all heard and loved, seen renditions of, or those simply lost in the hustle and bustle of Holiday's past. These are stories for all ages, which can be read alone, snuggled under your warm comforter, at the bedside of a child, or before a blazing fire for all to hear.

Enjoy! And may your hearth be graced with a Nightlight Reading or two.

Protests in the Past & Present

As we are all aware of the Occupy movement, I thought I would use this post as some seed for thought. In no way do I want this post to be a podium for my opinion or others. I just want to provoke some pondering...

My best friend and fellow blogger Golden Moments posted this link to this video:

The protests of the Great Depression are mentioned in this video. But I want to point out how different the Occupy movement is compared to the protests of the 1930s. As seen in this video are clips for these latter protests. It's a different breed. No need to say history repeats itself. America is continually revolving the Occupy demonstrations are for the most part peaceable comparatively, but from the foundation of America the right to protest and demonstrate are simply just part of our history. We may not all agree with the methods, but it is inherently part of being American.