Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

I hope you've been enjoying our tour of New York City

where we get to peek into the holiday window display

of different shops.

Today, it's Macy's turn!

The Macy's windows are always entertaining

because of the lights, narration and music.

You move from window to window and the

story unravels before your very eyes.

This year's story: "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus."

Our story begins here, at the very top of Virginia's house, where the little girl and here pal Ollie delight in a magical book about Santa Claus. Ollie wonders how Santa can be flying all over the world when he's on the street, ringing a bell. Off they go to see.

Meanwhile, Virginia's Mama and Papa have coffee downstairs. It's their turn to wonder -- at a newspaper headline! Could trains under the street be real? "If you see it in THE SUN (newspaper), it's so," says Papa, as he has so often before.

Virginia and her friends gather in a nearby courtyard. They admire her book, happily recalling what Santa brought them at Christmas past.

"Grow up," sneers Charlotte, an older girl with a worldly air. "You can't prove he's real. Face it, Virginia. There is no Santa."

The children's belief dwindles at these harsh words, but Virginia has something else in mind.

To the library the friends go for proof that Santa exists. With the help of the kindly librarian, they discover that, whether called FATHER CHRISTMAS, CINTER KLAS, BELLSNICKLE, KRIS KRINGLE or just plain CHIMNEY JOHN, Santa is beloved the world over.

And yet -- still no proof. Poor Virginia! "But," asks the librarian, "If Santa doesn't exist, why do children everywhere believe in him? Why indeed?

Maybe Papa knows! His logic isn't convincing but the newspaper on his desk reminds Virginia of his oft-requested words, "If it's in THE SUN it's so."

That's when the eight year old writes the letter that has become nearly as famous as Santa. And she waits...and waits...for a response.

Worried for her little girl, her mother says gently, "Believing in Santa isn't something you prove. It's something you do. When you are kind to others that makes Santa real. That's the proof." Virginia ponders, could that be true?

Still pondering, Virginia encounters a scraggly shivering "Santa" collecting coins for charity. The poor soul gave away his coat to someone in need.

Recalling her mother's words about being kind to others ("That makes Santa real..."), Virginia returns with a new, warm and cozy red overcoat she bought using money from her piggy bank. Deeply touched, the grateful man tells Virginia, "Today you're Santa Claus."

Meanwhile at THE SUN, the editor contemplates little Virginia's letter. How to respond?

Finally, the proof is printed in black and white, to be read all over!

"Yes, Virginia," proclaims THE SUN. "There is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love, generosity and devotion exist."

"A thousand years from now, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."

All is well and joyous in the world, and belief reaches higher and deeper and wider than ever before!

But wait...who is that portly, bearded gent in red, with a twinkle in his eye? Can it be? Yes Virginia...

I hope you find your Santa and become a Santa as well.

Merry Christmas!