Post by Mr.Christmas on Oct 16, 2004 11:30:23 GMT -5
Q: I think most of the world wants to know and understand the real Santa Claus. Is there something you'd like to say before we begin?
A: Well, I admit that I use these interviews each year to send a little message. But I don't write books or have a publicist or make movies. I'm not a crusader. I am hoping the world gets the message of Christmas by enjoying what I do each season and somehow will find a way to spread a little Christmas amongst themselves in the same ways.
Q: Are you religious, Santa?
A: That is an intensely personal question. But one that is vital and one I think I need to answer. And yes, I am very religious.
Q: What religion are you?
A: Well, that's not something I will answer because that doesn't really matter. I believe people of all faiths can celebrate the season together without regard to their religious persuasion.
Q: But isn't Christmas a predominantly Christian observance?
A: Well, yes and no. It was much more predominantly Christian 50 years ago than it is today. And, of course, anciently the winter festival we now call Christmas had nothing to do with Christ or religion. Christmas isn't a day, it is a season - a season of goodwill, of proclaiming peace on earth and, for many like myself, it is a private religious observance. But it can be those things without actually being a religious observance. Peace and goodwill are words that are pretty much universal in their appreciation.
Q: So you're not identifying Christmas anymore as the observance of the birth of Jesus Christ?
A: Of course I am. Angels came down to earth and proclaimed His coming. I like to believe I am merely one of the choir, singing the same message in that regard. I love the Christmas story. I cherish the lessons of the life of the Savior. But this is a big world full of many people who do not know, believe or understand Christmas to be about Jesus. To some, they carry on the traditions of their fathers and celebrate the winter festival in the spirit of thanksgiving and hope for the New Year. To others it is a celebration of family. Others look at it as a season to promote peace. I find all that a positive, worthy kind of celebration that doesn't counter the Christian observance of the day. It too bears a message of goodwill and peace and I support all their efforts. But for me, and my house, it is a religious observance and forever will be.
Q: Are you a religious figure?
A: What do you mean, like the Pope?
Q: Yes, do you have an ecclesiastical calling?
A: Well, in the sense that I have people who listen to me preach, no. I have my beliefs. I share them with like-minded people. But I am just a man, that's all. I believe in Christ. I believe my message of the season crosses religious barriers. I only want to be a doer of good, an example of what is possible.
Q: Are you in fact the famed Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra of ancient times?
A: Well, I'm not that old. A saint is someone is who dead and clearly, I'm not dead.
Q: What is the exact correlation then between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus?
A: Well, we're a tradition, mainly. St. Nicholas was a gift giver by nature, it was just his disposition. He had a grand and heralded reputation for freely giving, and not just at Christmas. Many credited him with miracles. He was a man to be admired, and one to emulate. To many, celebrating Christmas would not be the same without him. If there are those in the world who think I am St. Nicholas, I am humbled and honored and will try to do all I can to not besmirch his good name.
Q: But you are not one and the same man?
A: That would make me nearly 2000 years old.
Q: How old are you?
A: As old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth.
Q: You always say that. Really, how old are you?
A: I haven't the foggiest idea. You'll have to cut me open and count my rings.
Q: Are you serious?
A: No, I was kidding. Please don't cut me open and count my rings.
Q: No, I mean about not knowing how old you are.
A: Yes, I have no idea. I'm not even sure what day is my birthday.
Q: Really? Why not?
A: Well, when you get old like me you forget little details.
Q: So, who are you --really? How did you become Santa?
A: Well, now you're treading on sacred ground. I can't answer that question for you Molly.
Q: Why not?
A: Because it is not wise. There are just things I choose to keep private because it wouldn't do the world any good to know. It should be enough for the world to know that I exist.
--Continued in Part III--
A: Well, I admit that I use these interviews each year to send a little message. But I don't write books or have a publicist or make movies. I'm not a crusader. I am hoping the world gets the message of Christmas by enjoying what I do each season and somehow will find a way to spread a little Christmas amongst themselves in the same ways.
Q: Are you religious, Santa?
A: That is an intensely personal question. But one that is vital and one I think I need to answer. And yes, I am very religious.
Q: What religion are you?
A: Well, that's not something I will answer because that doesn't really matter. I believe people of all faiths can celebrate the season together without regard to their religious persuasion.
Q: But isn't Christmas a predominantly Christian observance?
A: Well, yes and no. It was much more predominantly Christian 50 years ago than it is today. And, of course, anciently the winter festival we now call Christmas had nothing to do with Christ or religion. Christmas isn't a day, it is a season - a season of goodwill, of proclaiming peace on earth and, for many like myself, it is a private religious observance. But it can be those things without actually being a religious observance. Peace and goodwill are words that are pretty much universal in their appreciation.
Q: So you're not identifying Christmas anymore as the observance of the birth of Jesus Christ?
A: Of course I am. Angels came down to earth and proclaimed His coming. I like to believe I am merely one of the choir, singing the same message in that regard. I love the Christmas story. I cherish the lessons of the life of the Savior. But this is a big world full of many people who do not know, believe or understand Christmas to be about Jesus. To some, they carry on the traditions of their fathers and celebrate the winter festival in the spirit of thanksgiving and hope for the New Year. To others it is a celebration of family. Others look at it as a season to promote peace. I find all that a positive, worthy kind of celebration that doesn't counter the Christian observance of the day. It too bears a message of goodwill and peace and I support all their efforts. But for me, and my house, it is a religious observance and forever will be.
Q: Are you a religious figure?
A: What do you mean, like the Pope?
Q: Yes, do you have an ecclesiastical calling?
A: Well, in the sense that I have people who listen to me preach, no. I have my beliefs. I share them with like-minded people. But I am just a man, that's all. I believe in Christ. I believe my message of the season crosses religious barriers. I only want to be a doer of good, an example of what is possible.
Q: Are you in fact the famed Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra of ancient times?
A: Well, I'm not that old. A saint is someone is who dead and clearly, I'm not dead.
Q: What is the exact correlation then between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus?
A: Well, we're a tradition, mainly. St. Nicholas was a gift giver by nature, it was just his disposition. He had a grand and heralded reputation for freely giving, and not just at Christmas. Many credited him with miracles. He was a man to be admired, and one to emulate. To many, celebrating Christmas would not be the same without him. If there are those in the world who think I am St. Nicholas, I am humbled and honored and will try to do all I can to not besmirch his good name.
Q: But you are not one and the same man?
A: That would make me nearly 2000 years old.
Q: How old are you?
A: As old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth.
Q: You always say that. Really, how old are you?
A: I haven't the foggiest idea. You'll have to cut me open and count my rings.
Q: Are you serious?
A: No, I was kidding. Please don't cut me open and count my rings.
Q: No, I mean about not knowing how old you are.
A: Yes, I have no idea. I'm not even sure what day is my birthday.
Q: Really? Why not?
A: Well, when you get old like me you forget little details.
Q: So, who are you --really? How did you become Santa?
A: Well, now you're treading on sacred ground. I can't answer that question for you Molly.
Q: Why not?
A: Because it is not wise. There are just things I choose to keep private because it wouldn't do the world any good to know. It should be enough for the world to know that I exist.
--Continued in Part III--