Re: Santa Claus WAS: meanings not in english

Mike writes:

>The "Santa Claus" culture is very different from the "Father Christmas" one,
>which is what we call him over here. What I have always taught my children
>is that Father Christmas is very real, in the sense of a spirit. He is very
>palpable around Christmas time.
I don't know if the "Yes, Virginia" letter is known outside the US,
but it touches on this theme. Some publication somewhere inevitably
reprints it around Yuletide, filling people with the meaning and
magic of Christmas. You read it, smile and nod knowingly and *then*
dash to the mall and curse the person who stole your coveted parking
space.

The article and some background info may be found at:

http://beebo.org/smackerels/yes-virginia.html

Kou