There are many ways to express one’s feelings and tie into the meaning of Christmas, but none better than a column that appeared in a Chicago newspaper many years ago. The simple words, if taken seriously today, could go a long way toward solving problems both domestic and abroad.

Perhaps the message is a little simple and basic for those making important decisions and there-in lies the problem. We’ve possibly pushed the envelope beyond what it takes these days to realize right from wrong.

Anyway here once again here is “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!” If you have read it, take time to read it again, the message will be good for the holiday.

“He exists as certain as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life the highest beauty and joy.”

“Alas, how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginia. There would be no child-like faith, no poetry, no romance to make terrible this existence. We would have no enjoyment except for sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.”

“Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your Papa to hire men to watch all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?”

“Not everyone sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that children or man can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of coarse not, but that is no sign they are not there.”

“No one can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen or unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart a baby’s rattle to see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man in the world can tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry and romance can push aside that certain and view the supernal beauty and glory beyond.”

“Is it all real? Yes, Virginia, there is nothing else in this world so real and abiding.”

“No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives and lives forever! A thousand years from now Virginia—nay 10 times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood!”

Another good reading

In your Bible, the book of Matthew tells the story of the birth of Jesus, the holiday we will be observing next Sunday, or four days from now. While the entire world will not be joining this nation in the observance, Christians throughout the Universe will be headed for their churches or public places of worship.

If it is possible, join them and make Christmas 2022, one that can find peace in the world as preached by Jesus throughout his short ministry one this earth. Historians tell he was 33 years of age when he was crucified.

Cassville’s Christmas

A significant Christmas came to Cassville with the announcement that Kyle and Jordan Troutman have returned the Cassville Democrat to private ownership. This means a significant change after going through two corporate owners, the previous one from New Jersey.

Neither of the couple are strangers in the community having made their way through the paper’s columns and issues for sometime. Kyle came to the paper after the Schlichtman sale. His experience included editor of both the Democrat and Monett Times. The Times went to another owner in the sale of the two papers.

Kyle brought honor upon honor to town over a stretch of years, putting the Democrat on the newspaper map in Missouri with numbers that will stand for years.

Jordan came into the picture with her involvement in the community and contributions of her writings. Both are accomplished and can easily take their place in the Fourth Estate in Barry County.

The Troutmans have shown their desire to make Cassville their home with the purchase of one of Missouri’s oldest newspapers, doing its job for the community since Civil War eras. Return to private ownership will make this aim of the paper much more dedicated. The obvious dedication of this couple toward the Cassville Democrat and the community cannot be taken for anything other than a willingness to labor hard, be an asset to the community and build a future for their family.

Our best wishes

Sue and I would like to join those wishing them every success in their new undertaking. As stated previously, we know what a life’s work the Cassville Democrat and the entire community can provide. Our hope is these same assurances for Kyle, Jordan and their family.

Bob Mitchell is the former editor and publisher of the Cassville Democrat.

He is a 2017 inductee to both the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame and Missouri Southern State University’s Regional Media Hall of Fame.