Arita Trahan - The Santa Story Revisited: How to Give Your Children a Santa They Will Never Outgrow

Praise for The Santa Story Revisited

The Santa Story Revisited is just plain delightful. I recommend it to the child in every one of us who still believes. This book is a service to mankind!

Christiane Northrup, M.D., ob/gyn, physician and
author of the New York Times bestsellers: Womens
Bodies, Womens Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

Truth, honesty, and integrity are essential messages we give our children. THE SANTA STORY REVISITED is a marvelous way of honoring the magic of Santa without deception. This is parenting at its best.

Larry Dossey, M.D., author of The Power of
Premonitions and Healing Words

What an amazing new view of the Santa story we have lived as children and adults! This work is transformativea positive shift in consciousness for kids and parents in a fun and easy manner. Without leaving good old Santa behind, readers and listeners are lifted to understand Santa as a living metaphor for love, compassion, kindness and generosity for all, every day of the year. This is a wonderful way to move our children (and us) from a December 25th awareness of me to a year-round consciousness of we. Our world is a much better place because of this beautiful book.

Tom Zender, President Emeritus of Unity Churches

Life is a series of allegories that teach us the illusions of life. Just as the stories of The Little Red Hen and Peter Rabbit are archetypal myths, the Santa metaphor provides one of lifes basic messagesthat our single greatest instinct is to nurture others. THE SANTA STORY REVISITED emphasizes the metaphorical essential of giving and nurturingultimately the true meaning of Lovethe desire to do good to others. The Santa archetype is alive and well in the many good actions of humans. On a personal note, Santa is such an important archetype for me that I began collecting Santas from around the world about 15 years ago. My collection has grown so much that I have had to alternate my Santas each year, displaying only half at a time. My grandchildren cherish these monuments to giving/nurturing just as much as I do. The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things. Now is the time to talk about the REAL meaning of THE SANTA STORY.

C. Norman Shealy, M.D.,Ph.D ., author of
Pony Wisdom for the Soul and 25 other books

Every parent should take note of Arita Trahans feat. She has crafted a creative and insightful way to deal with one of the most beautiful and yet most challenging issues affecting parentshow to present Santa Claus without losing credibility when the inevitable occurs, the dreaded moment when the myth is debunked. Not only does Ms. Trahan offer an inspiring and novel method of presenting the Santa story, but she also deftly coaches the reader through many possible scenarios of dealing with questions and situations that may occur in the process. Drawing upon a childs innate and wondrous sense of play and imagination, she crafts a Santa for the 21st Century and beyond, one that maintains all the magic and joy, but one that also preserves and even strengthens the most basic and sacred bond of trust between parent and child.

Rick Seay, Ed.D., Academic Dean,
Montgomery Bell Academy

This wonderful little book introduces a whole new enlightened paradigm regarding Santa, allowing all of us to transcend our childhood disappointment regarding the jolly old elf. Arita Trahans retelling of Santa by expanding the story will delight kidsand parents no longer have to deal with the inevitable disenchantment and distress that ensues when their children would otherwise hear that Santa is not real.

Leslie M. Andrew, MS, BCET,
Educational Therapist

Arita Trahan has done something truly WONDERFUL with her Santa story! By introducing Santa as an intimate family game that is based on givingnot consumption or receivingshe has preserved what is best about Santa, while expanding the fun. With Aritas approach, Santa lives in our hearts, and he becomes actual in our imaginations whenever we want him to be, that being whenever we play the game. I love the honest nature of her thinking here. The Santa Story Revisited will be highly enlightening to parents, grandparents, in short...EVERYONE.

Arlan Godthaab, Actor (sometimes Santa)

In The Santa Story Revisited , Arita Trahan shares ways to use the childs innate use of fantasy and gift of imagination as an expanded way of enjoying Santa more. This is wisdom for all year round, not just Christmas. For the child you love and the inner child that you are, it offers a sensitive and generous way to approach the Santa story.

Candy Paull, author of The Most Wonderful Time of
the Year and The Art of Abundance

What I like most about The Santa Story Revisited is the way Arita expands Santa into a game that emphasizes the joy of giving. It is a practical way to encourage each child to participate in Santa-like acts of kindness. This book is a refreshing approach to Christmas, given the ever-increasing commercialism of this wondrous holiday. This is a Santa every parent can feel happy about sharing with their little ones.

Lance Hoppen of the band Orleans

This delightful book presents a new way to teach generosity, love, industry and kindness to children. It helps parents become conscious of their intention in story-telling while also encouraging children to see Santa as a hero they can emulate.

Giuditta Tornetta, author of Painless Childbirth

The Santa Story Revisited has revitalized my enthusiasm for Santa and playing my own role in the Santa game, with a sense of inclusion and playfulness. Arita Trahans book gives us a common foundation for celebrating during the holidays. While still maintaining our own personal faith-based beliefs, we can enjoy Santa as mentor of generosity, the impetus behind small gifts and acts of kindness.

Andrea Sholer, MA, Spiritual Psychology

For the religious, Santa is a saint modeled on the generosity and compassion of Saint Nicholas and an expression of unconditional love, gifts of grace, and miraculous abundance.

For the non-religious, Santa represents no doctrine, other than love and generosity.

For the lonely, Santa is the stranger/friend.

For the tired, Santa comes while you are resting.

For the sad, Santas joyful countenance accompanies every visit.

For the poor, Santas gifts are given freely and without condition.

For the aimless, Santa demonstrates a joyful life purpose expressed through giving!

Santa can belong to anyone and everyone. Santa is a story that springs from ancient times and is ever evolving. In the pages of this book, youll find a Santa that can be adapted in any way youd like and played as a game by all ages.

The Santa Story
REVISITED

How to Give Your Children a Santa
They Will Never Outgrow

Arita Trahan
with Norma Eckroate

Music: Mark Horwitz; Lyrics: Arita Trahan

Lyric

I dont have to wear a red coat

Or grow a long white beard