Words from the Chamber

I hope that you are able to feel the spirit of giving that this season represents. As a Christian, I celebrate a gift so spectacular that it is difficult to fully comprehend and vow to give it the measure of attention that it deserves.

As we all know, the season has become filled with commercialization that often detracts from its intended meaning but, when possible, we should concentrate on the positive side of even that. I was recently touched by a parent’s explanation of Santa Claus to his child that I find worth sharing.

Santa Claus, once one reaches a certain age, is not a jolly man in a red suit with a white beard. Santa Claus is the spirit of giving without any recognition for doing so. Parents guard the secret that it is really them that provide those gifts which delight their young children and seek nothing in return. Once this secret is shared with a child when a certain age is reached, the child becomes part of the conspiracy and must accept the responsibility that goes with it. As we age, we become more cognizant that it really is better to give than receive.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.