Ardeth J. Kapp - The Joy of Believing

Interior images courtesy of picturesnow.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Kapp, Ardeth Greene, 1931

The joy of believing / Ardeth G. Kapp.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-59038-809-9 (hardback : alk. paper)

1. Christmas. 2. Christian lifeMormon authors. I. Title.

BV45.K365 2007

263'.915dc22 2007021171

Printed in the United States of America

Worzalla Publishing Co., Stevens Point, WI

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

"Do You Believe in Santa?"

It wasnt even close to Christmas. It was summertime, around the middle of August, in Phoenix, Arizona. The temperature was hot. However, that didnt interfere in any way with the outdoor interests of four enthusiastic young brothers. Their backyard was filled with an invitation to a variety of activities to consume their thoughts and interest. There was the fire pit at one end of the wide, circular cement path that surrounded the lawn. At the other end was the basketball hoop that had consumed their attention for some time as they cheered for each other every time the ball managed to go through the hoop.

Sitting on the low brick wall surrounding the fire pit, I watched the boys as they moved from one activity to another. After two or three trips along the cement path, each time increasing the speed on his skateboard, seven-year-old Josh let go with one hand and waved, with a smile that celebrated his grand performance. It seemed he was totally consumed with the acquired skill he was demonstrating to an appreciative audience of one. One more trip around the circle and he came full speed toward me. His eyes bright, and in a most serious tone, he posed a question: Nana Ardie, he asked, do you believe in Santa? I had no idea what prompted his question. But Joshs curious and inquiring mind often caught me off guard.

Do you believe in Santa? is a question that invites thoughtful consideration before giving an honest answer to a trusting child. I asked myself, Do you believe in Santa? Into my mind came a review of the many lessons Josh and his brothers had been given by his parents, grandparents, teachers, and loved ones about the importance of honesty, integrity, and trust. I sensed from the tone of his voice and the look in his eye that this was not the first time he had pondered the question, Is there a Santa? Why it surfaced in the middle of the summer while riding a skateboard at top speed I did not understand. But now was the time he needed an answer.

I searched for an appropriate response.

Let me answer your question, Josh, so you will never outgrow your love for Santa and all that he stands for. I motioned for him to sit beside me on the wall by the fire pit where we would be roasting wieners and marshmallows at sundown. He seemed intent on what I might have to say.

Looking into his trusting eyes, I began. Let me tell you what I know about Santa, and then Ill ask you the questionis that okay?

Sure, he said.

But first well talk about some other things that are also very important. Is that okay?

Sure.

A tall pole in a neighbors backyard was the perfect place to begin. Josh, I said, pointing in that direction, what do you see hanging from that pole?

The flag, he quickly answered.

Is it really a flag or just a big piece of cloth?

No, he insisted. Its the flag of the United States of America.

How do you know its a flag? Tell me about it.

He was eager to explain. Its red and white and blue and has stars and stripes on it.

Is it important?

Yeah, he responded with conviction.

Its important to me, too, Josh. You see, it serves as a symbol so that we will always remember and never forget the blessing and the price paid for our freedom in this great land of America. Some people who dont believe in what the flag stands for want to burn it. We know what it stands for, and we want to honor it and be true to the responsibility of being good citizens. We often repeat the words I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands.... We know the flag stands for something very important. When you see the flag, does it ever look like just a big piece of cloth?

No, he insisted, it is a flag. Sometimes I put my hand over my heart when it goes by me.

How does it make you feel?

Good.

Me, too.

Symbols like the flag are very precious to us. Would you like to learn about another important symbol?

Yeah.

Do you remember the big eagle that Papa Heber has on his desk in the library where we go to read all those fun books, and that large painting of the eagle in your brothers bedroom? What do you know about an eagle that is important?

Josh looked a bit puzzled. What did this have to do with his initial question?

Josh, I explained, one day you will follow your brothers and become an Eagle Scout. An Eagle Scout is a boy who has reached the highest level in many important areas in Scouting. The reason he is called an Eagle Scout is that the eagle has been honored from the beginning of time. The eagle serves as a symbol or a reminder of something very important, a great accomplishment. The eagle is on the flags of many nations. The eagle spreads its mighty wings and soars high in the sky, even in a storm. The eagle stands for freedom and is the symbol of our great nation.

Now I have a question for you, Josh. Do you believe in the flag?

Yes.

Is it real?

Yes, it is.

Do you believe in the eagle?

Again his response was quick and sure. Yes.

Me, too, Josh. Can you see how symbols are very precious to us? They can affect how we feel, how we believe, and even how we behave. They help us remember.

Now lets talk about Santa Claus. How does thinking about Santa make you feel?

Happy, cause its about Christmas.

Thats right. And when we think of Christmas, Santa is a very important part of that great celebration. It is a time when we think of giving gifts and receiving gifts. We can go to the shopping mall, and maybe we wont see a flag or an eagle but we might see Santa. And then we would be reminded of the love he has for everyone. When we see a kind, happy, rather fat man in a bright red suit, trimmed in white, and a beard and a big ho! ho! laugh, we know it is Christmastime. We sometimes think of Santa at the North Pole, but Santa is also at the South Pole. He is in England and America. At Christmastime he is everywhere where people, and especially families, come together to share gifts of love and appreciation.

This seven-year-old boy with an inquisitive mind had been very patient as we shared our thoughts and feelings. Now, before I asked him to answer his own question, I wanted to let him know my honest feelings. Josh, I explained, looking into his innocent bright eyes, all my life I have believed in Santa, and all Santa stands for. He helps us want to love and serve everyone and be especially happy at Christmastime. I believe in the flag and all the good our flag stands for. I believe the eagle is real, and when you are an Eagle Scout you will learn more about the eagle. Now Id like to ask you the question you asked me: Josh, do you believe in Santa?