Yes, anyone can be a Santa, and there are no shortage of opportunities to do so in Polk

Santa Claus is coming to town. But who is he exactly? If you ask Wikipedia – that collective source of often reliable knowledge both significant and trivial – his modern self descends from St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek Orthodox bishop known for his generosity to the poor and for his role as patron saint of, among other diverse groups, “archers, sailors and pawnbrokers.” Who knew lenders charging usury rates managed to achieve spiritual alignment?

In iconography, St. Nicholas is depicted with a flowing beard, which has been the one consistent image of Santa down through the ages, from the stern-faced saint to the smiling, jolly figure of today. When the Church of England under Henry VIII broke with Roman Catholicism and its celebration of Dec. 6 as a feast day honoring Nicholas, the kingdom switched the observance of Father Christmas – a.k.a. St. Nick – to Christmas day. It should be noted that as in many things relating to Henry, the occasion was as much about food, drink and merriment. Can it be mere coincidence that the portly image of Father Christmas mirrored that of the corpulent king?

Whatever the social, religious and political history, Santa endures because he represents a generous spirit that latently courses thorough the human psyche, revealing the better angels of our nature – simply put, the idea of giving rather than receiving.

Recently we were able to catch Santa long enough for an interview. Full disclosure: The cellphone connection was somewhat spotty at times so there was a certain amount of guesswork in transcribing his remarks, but we think we got it right.

Q. So what’s the real story? Who actually runs the show up there in your ridiculously cold North Pole command center -- you or the elves?

A. For a long-married man you appear quite dense. The answer, of course, is Mrs. Claus.

Q. There’s a lot of skepticism these days about this, that and the other. For example, some people say you don’t exist, that you’re just a myth, a figment of some domineering culture’s fevered imagination implanted in the public mind for no greater purpose than the promotion of crass commercialism leading to an unconscionable elevation of already irrational markets. What say you to these serious accusations?

A. I say cynicism is a self-defeating mindset. Let me give you an example. Suppose you don’t believe that germs and viruses exist – you can’t see them, after all, so who knows? Yet they seem to lay people low, as we’ve seen quite tragically over these past few months. In short, believing they aren’t there can kill you. Believing they are – and embracing the whole underlying concept of preventative health – can help keep you alive for many a Christmas to come.

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Q. Speaking of health, is it healthy for children to harbor such naïve faith in your existence?

A. I say credulity is a much-maligned virtue. Are children happy on Christmas morn when the fruits of my labors – and that of my elves, my millions of helpers worldwide and especially, of course, my wife – are laid bare for their unbridled joy? Is the happiness of children not a glory in and of itself? The answer is self-evident. But if you have any doubts, why don’t you start by helping me collect presents for those poor kids who have so very little? You will soon see for yourself.

Q. But this belief you are promoting calls for blind faith!

A. Let me remind you, my friend, that blind faith is a precursor – maybe even a prerequisite – for miracles. And what is more miraculous than a child? That’s a rhetorical question by the way. What is more miraculous is a child animated by happiness, love, faith and generosity – because those are the virtues that are eternal in a healthy society…so long as we pass them on to the next generation. And almost everything we pass on that actually sticks is by example, not word. Believe me, the children are watching everything you do and say and are perfectly capable of emulation.

Q. But what if the whole Santa thing isn’t true?

A. Doesn’t matter. The end result will be precisely the same. People will be moved by the example of giving – who knows, for a while they may even adopt the concept that receiving is less rewarding than giving. Hey, better just a week or two of not-thinking-of-me-me-me than never. But in any case, which should be obvious enough, here I am getting interviewed so how can it not be true?

Q. Except that we’re not meeting face-to-face.

A. The fact that we’re not – and that you believe you are communicating with Santa himself – proves my point. But it’s not just me and the Mrs. and the elves that make Christmas giving real for kids who hope to find presents under the tree. There are a lot of Santa’s helpers out there who spend months preparing. They are just as much Santa as I am. After all, what with millions of gifts being assembled up there in the far north, Santa’s workshop has to be constantly replenished. This stuff doesn’t just appear out of thin air. That’s why we’ve got to get the word out on the good work we’re doing but the help we need along the way.

Q. That brings up a good point. My granddaughter wants to know how many Santas there are.

A. Hundreds. Thousands. Millions. Anyone can be a Santa because Santa is a state of mind.

Q. Aren’t you concerned that such confusion will be exploited on social media, casting your existence in doubt? Do you have any idea what they’re saying about you in cyberland?

A. I don’t know. I don’t care. And I’m sure, if they thought about it, whoever they are, they could find much better use of their time. I’m waaaaaay to busy to pay attention to what the malcontents, miscreants, misanthropes, malefactors and miscellaneous gripers are saying. But I do have a cure for those folks whose current estrangement from the positive side of life is making them sick with anxiety – get over yourself by helping someone else.

Q. And I’m guessing you have a very specific suggestions as to how to energize everyone’s spirit of giving.

A. I’m glad you asked. Right here in Polk County are some of Santa’s best helpers. Look them up and you’ll find one that will be more than happy to accept your help. These fine organizations collect and distribute gifts for children who really need to know that someone cares – and that the world can be a joyful place. But don’t delay – Christmas is right around the corner and the kids are waiting in gleeful anticipation. Let’s not disappoint the ones most in need.

• • •

A couple of days after we talked, Santa sent this list of organizations who are a great help to him, any one of which would welcome your donations:

• Bartow Church Service Center Christmas Donations – 863-533-5822, http://www.churchservicecenter.org.

• Bartow Fire Department Toys for Bartow – 863-534-5044.

• City of Davenport Sharing Christmas with You – 863-588-1130 ext. 149, https://www.mydavenport.org, click on Sharing Christmas With You.

• Cops for Kids – Lakeland Police Department - 863-834-6912, https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/lakeland-police-department/bureaus-divisions/special-services/crime-prevention/cops-for-kids.

• Frostproof Care Center Christmas Donations – 863-635- 5555, http://www.frostproofcarecenter.com/volunteer.html.

• Heartland for Children - Rudolph Round-Up – 863-519-8900, https://www.heartlandforchildren.org/community/blog/post/550//Rudolph2021.

• Kate’s Story Foundation Christmas Toy Drive – katesstoryinc@gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/KatesStoryInc.

• Lake Wales Care Center Holiday Donations – 863- 676-6678, https://lakewalescarecenter.com/programs/#holiday.

• Lakeland Fire Department Toy Drive - 863-834-8200, https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/lakeland-fire-department/contact.

• Mulberry Community Service Center Holiday Donations – 863-425-1523, https://www.mulberrycsc.com.

• One More Child – 863-687-8811, https://onemorechild.org.

• Salvation Army of Lakeland / West Polk – 863-940-2868, https://salvationarmyflorida.org/lakeland/#contact-us.

• Salvation Army of Winter Haven - 863-294-7493, https://salvationarmyflorida.org/winterhaven/#angel-tree.

• Toys for Tots Polk County - 863-529-3709, http://www.polkcounty-fl.toysfortots.org.

Thomas R. Oldt can be reached at tom@troldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Santa is a state of mind. Check out ways to help in Polk County