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This day, a year ago:

A Christmas reminder
Our view: This year, more than most, we need Santa Claus

6:00 AM EST, December 24, 2012

Christmas is a holiday of peace and joy, and most of all a time of wonder and innocence for children. It is a time of belief in magic and goodness, a day when small wishes come true. This year, in particular, we need reminding of that fact.

It has been less than two weeks since a town in Connecticut was rent by unspeakable horror, an event so terrible that it spread sadness in the hearts of men, women, boys and girls across the globe. In the face of such profound grief, it feels difficult, even unseemly, to remember that miracles occur at Christmas.

But they do. The joy on the face of a child who sees the presents — however meager or lavish — that have appeared under the tree on Christmas morning is a miracle. The love and laughter of families reunited is a miracle. The simple act of thinking of others before ourselves is a miracle.

Santa Claus is a miracle.

One hundred and fifteen years ago, an editorial writer at The Sun (of New York, not, sadly, Baltimore) made that very point in his response to a young girl who had written to the paper to express her doubts. It is likely the most famous editorial ever written, and we don't dare to imagine that we could top it. But we do humbly suggest that this is a year when we could all use to read it one more time.

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?

VIRGINIA O'HANLON.

115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

( "The Sun" answers: )

Found via Donna Cardillo (@DonnaCardilloRN, https://www.facebook.com/DonnaCardilloRN [The Career Guru for Nurses])

...to everyone celebrating. Hope you like this joke ;)

Originally posted by olenenyok at Олени вокруг нас )