In 1897, eight year old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to The New York Sun newspaper asking an age old question…”Is there a Santa Claus?”
In short measure, an editorial piece, written by veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church, was published in response to Virginia’s question. Although The Sun ran the editorial in a lowly sixth place on the page, Church’s response captured the hearts and imaginations of young and old alike, and continues to do so to this very day…
“Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus!”
Sadly, as the black and white world of adulthood sneaks up on us, it leaves little room for the belief in things we cannot see, or understand. The question would then be, “Is ‘seeing’ the only definitive proof of something’s existence?” Perhaps, but then would this not imply, for instance, that a newly discovered species of butterfly did not exist until its discovery by man? That assumption, of course, is ridiculous.
Where would we be today without those who blindly believe in, and search out those things we cannot see or understand?
Recently, a daring group of scientists and scholars have set out to prove the existence of Santa Claus, despite risking the ridicule of friends, family, and peers. Their findings to date are intriguing to say the least, and have been documented in an exciting, and ground breaking new film titled Search for Santa.
The documentary, directed by Douglas Cheney, takes us from the Nafud desert in Saudi Arabia, where a team led by noted archeologist, Dr. Marvin Fyan, has discovered the remains of what appears to be an 800 year old “sleigh”, to the Magnetic North Pole, where explorer Hutch Hoffman takes an expedition in search of living proof of the existence of St.Nicolas.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
great review Annie, thanks! There's believe and BELIEVE - I still believe but alas probably don't BELIEVE. I know the dude is rooting around in the old collective subconscious, however.
2 - Krasimir [FilmDailies.com]
I actually remember this article when we studied History of Mass Communications back in college. Thanks for getting me back in time :)
3 - -E
Awww, I loved reading this review. And somewhat appropriate that a trailer for the Polar Express DVD is on tv right now. But I will definately have to check out this doc.
4 - ellis
santa is reall he is really nice because your mum and dont do it there is such thing as santa
BLEAVE IN SANTA OR NO PREASANTS FOR U
5 - Stephanie
It's a great movie! A must see for young and old alike. It gives you that feeling of Christmas morning as a kid! :D
6 - bryan
santa is so real guys! have faith in the mo fo or he'll pop ur ass full of coal you fucking bitches.
BELIEVE!!
7 - chris
whoever left the above comment is horrible! your bringing a bad name to santa! im 16 years old and i still believe in him! i've met him twice and even got to ride in his sleigh, and ill assure you he would never pump anyone's *** with coal! well if youve been a good boy..like me!
BELIEVE!!
8 - bryan
what the effing shat! i effing hate you! i just saw santa at fucking jcpenny and he said ur fucking getting fucking coal in your fucking ass. fuck.
9 - Kelsey
wow. who ever you are, you are so stupid. I agree with the guy above you. youre ruining everyones holiday spirt. I strongly belive you are getting coal. Im almost positive.
For everyone else besides the stupid, mean, cursing, weird-o: I belive in santa so, so, so much!!!!! Happy Holiday's!!!!!
PS: Belive in santa, you wont regreat it!!!!!
10 - Annomous
Hey everyone believe in santa he is as real as christmas it self i just want to say a couple important things about this subject, just because you cant see a fairy dosen't mean its not there on your front lawn right now, just because you have never seen a reindeer fly doensn't mean that they can't, just because you might of never ever saw santa fly at night it dosen't mean he dosen't.Just because scientist say that it is impossible to live at the north pole and nobody has seen any evidence that there is a north pole city and that santa lives up there dosent mean that he dosent live up there. Remember every one seeing is not believing, believing is seeing. So everyone you have to believe deep down in your heart if you want to see santa and you have to believe too, and i gurantee you one day you will hear santa's sleigh bells one day I promise you just have to believe.
11 - Jessie
For those of you who dont believe in Santa...just think: Have you ever seen a million dollars? Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Same with Santa. Just a little thing to think about...
12 - believer
just because you haven't seen santa doesn't mean he's not real, thats like saying the newly discovered species of butterfly did not exist until its discovery by man? That assumption, of course, is ridiculous. BELIEVE!!!! as you get older, you dont have to let go of magic!!!
13 - believer
SANTAS REAL!!!!!
14 - someone
you guyz are all fuckin losers, ur fuckin fucked up.........seriusly......"believe in santa.....cuz hez real.." well hate to break it to u guyz.......santa'z not fuckin real......n if u think i'm ruinin christmas.......well datz just too bad cuz datz da fuckin truth u fuckin fucked up kuntz!!!
15 - someone
hey betta read ma commentz........and nxt tym ur celebratin chrismas remember ma comments and dont be fuckin stupid enough to stay up ol night waitin for santa to cum...........n yh by da way jessie......"just bcuz sum ppl didnt see million dollerz....doesnt mean itz not real" well datz tru but other rich ppl sure have seen it .....and thrz proof dat a million dollerz exizts..........but no one has proof dat santa'z real okay...........unless u do hav proof.....loser!!
16 - someone
and oh yh if u are bringin proof........seriusly please dont go to da funkin shoppin centre'z and get a fuckin picture takin wif da oviusly funkin FAKE santa cuz .....no one'z stupid enough to believe dat datz the fuckin "real santa" okay get it u fuckin loser'z!!!!!!!!!