Each Saturday in December, we will share a Beers at the Nifty ‘Christmas classic’. Today’s post originally ran 12/5/2021. Enjoy – see you tomorrow with “Merry Christmas”.

Life is full of secrets, good and bad. But some secrets – and the way they are guarded – are beautiful secrets.

One of the most beautiful secrets of all is Santa Claus. 

Our oldest grandchild is 9, and I wonder if he still believes. Of course, I can’t ask him, but he is at an age where common sense – or older/meaner kids – prevail and they learn the truth.

But I know that even if he no longer believes, he won’t ruin it for his younger siblings. The beautiful secret will be safe with him. Just like centuries of children before him.

Part of the reason is “risk avoidance”. When that first glimmer of doubt appears – “It has to be Mom and Dad” – they keep it to themselves for fear the gifts won’t show if they’re wrong…

Part of it is “being in the know” on a grown-up secret. He is young enough to believe adults have some grand plan for a better world – he’ll learn that ‘bad secret’ later – and it’s cool to be in on it.

Part of it is respect for the experience: the innate recognition that the anticipation of Christmas is almost (almost) better than the gifts, and the need to save that feeling for the ‘un-knowing’. Our daughter received an in-school suspension for ‘taking down’ the 3rd grader who was spoiling it for everyone.

I flashback to the Sears catalog, which was our anticipation cornerstone, way back during the Eisenhower administration. I remember like it was yesterday, it was also the last time I rode a bike…

We excitedly checked the mail for its arrival. If it were delayed, that was a real existential crisis. Once received, we alternated studying the toy section, circling our selections. The wish list was shared with our parents (merely on an FYI basis), included in our Letter to Santa, and shared again when we saw him at the mall. He nodded knowingly, indicating he had read our letters.

We then hoped for the best – and most – on Christmas morning.

As an aside, anyone under the age of 40 must be shocked to learn that we were excited to receive mail (did my decoder ring arrive?), it didn’t all come in ‘packages’, the largest retailer was Sears, their catalog weighed 30+ pounds, and we wrote letters. And we hoped for the best, as opposed to demanding.

Part of it is he lacks a hardened exterior, and hasn’t yet learned the thrill of ruining other people’s fun. He remains a ‘nice’ kid and I’m enough of an optimist to believe he will remain so. Wish him luck… But even so, he will need to learn to duck on occasion.

But a big part is he retains his childhood sense of wonder. The Christmas season is an amazing time, and the delicious anticipation might be the best part.

Amazing that Santa Claus remains a ‘shared secret’ for a world of children, and the IRS can’t protect your tax returns…

And while adults feel all that in their ‘adult way’, it’s nothing compared to the season experienced through a child’s eyes.

Remember? 

So much of our anticipation is the commercial side of the Holiday, which is great, but beside the point.

I can’t say it any better than Linus did, reminding us of the “reason for the season”, and what “Christmas is all about”.

Even 9 year old me would have circled “gratitude and renewal” in the Sears catalog, as the best gift we can give ourselves.

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TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENTOF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE “CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS” SOUNDTRACK:

“I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree,” said Charlie Brown. “Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I don’t really know what Christmas is all about. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

“Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about,” said Linus. [Linus walks on stage.]

“Lights, please.”

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding

in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:

and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the

heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,

good will toward men.

[Linus picks up his blanket and shuffles off-stage.]

“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

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