P.O. Box 632 Findlay, Ohio 45839 Phone: 419-420-9327

Paul Kleman
Father Christmas
By Paul Kleman
Nov 30, 2007, 13:03

That time of year again has arrived and so appropriately we shall soon be visited by Father Christmas. While the lore is a little hazy as to when he started bringing the holiday spirit to the residents of Findlay-not just kids, but he has brought smiles to grown-ups as well-but Father Christmas in 2002 made his presence known with his prominent walks up and down Main Street Findlay. And 2007 shall be no different for the populace of Flag City USA.
 
Father Christmas gets teary-eyed thinking about the compassion that has been demonstrated in light of this year's flood and says, "He needs to be in the midst of it." As the holiday countdown ticks away, Father Christmas' time is sparse. However, he did take a few moments share some sage words.

First thing he imparted was how special his trips to Findlay have been including a chance encounter with a little girl at a Christmas party. "We (my wife and I) had just finished delivering gifts and the little girl asked, 'why are you dressed so warm?' I explained to her it was for the snow. She informed me that the weather man was not calling for snow. I simply smiled and said, 'who are you going to believe: the weatherman or Santa?' It began to snow as I left that house."

But Father Christmas' heartfelt memories do not stop there. That same night, he made is way down South Main Street. Ultimately, he found himself on the doorstep of a little girl's house. Her name was Daniela and she had just moved to Findlay Ohio from South Africa. "She frantically waved at me through the window-as almost she had never seen Santa before. It turns out that she was terrified of leaving her home in South Africa because she was afraid Santa would not be able to find her. So, she was more than happy to see me.

I assured her that I would be back again next year." Father Christmas has stopped at that house every year since.

Now, as the Santa reference has come up a couple of times, Father Christmas clarifies that to kids, he does not mind the synonymous appellation.
However, the true nature of Father Christmas is an outdoors spirit trekking to bring joy and smiles to those in despair or those in looking for something to believe in. Of course, this does not mean the occasional stuffed animal or toy doesn't miraculously appear for those kids Father Christmas meets in his travels.

But it's not only children that are left with a twinkle in their eye after experiencing Father Christmas. Last year numerous college students stopped after driving by and asked to have their picture taken with him. The Christmas spirit knows now age limit, so Father Christmas was happy to oblige and gave the students the photo opportunity that will last for years to come.

In the season of giving, what does Father Christmas receive? Kids leave milk and cookies for Santa. What would Father Christmas like for this year? "The only thing I ask for every year is to keep doing this. Bring this joy to people year after year is the happiness that sustains me throughout the rest of the year."

As long as giving is its own reward, the kindred spirit that is Father Christmas will sustain himself. But what of the belief in Father Christmas? Kids have an unabated ability to believe in things without proof or credence. However, adults tend seek the tangible-always rationalizing and demanding evidence. And then there are those teenagers who are looking to leave their childhood behind. What kind of response can be offered to those who say there is no such thing as Santa or Father Christmas? Understanding how doubt can enter into the human heart as one grows; Father Christmas offers these final sage words: "Holiday memories are built on those inspired moments of spontaneous kindness. And the inspiration of giving is one of the founding principles of Christmas. As long as there are unexplained acts of kindness during the holidays, Father Christmas will exist." Harking once again on his chance encounter with Daniela, Father Christmas reiterates that the spirit Christmas can show up on your doorstep when your doubt is at its strongest.