Santa Loses His Memory

Introduction

Throughout the year, Santa and his elves diligently prepare for Christmas at Santa’s home in Korvatunturi in the Land of Christmas in Finland and elsewhere around the world. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the culmination of all the activity happening around the clock. The elves are constantly touring around the world and, of course, Santa’s traditional gift shops are busy as well. Contrary to popular belief, elves no longer just monitor whether children are good, but they also have the time to monitor the thoughts and actions of adults as well, meaning all people, and they try to influence everyone’s thoughts and feelings. This effort helps us be the best versions of ourselves.


This story is about an accident that happened not so long ago in the Land of Christmas. The accident endangered Christmas, but it also improved how things are done in the Land of Christmas. The goal of the Land of Christmas is to get people to give fewer material gifts and instead give their time, care, help and services to each other. And to do it all year round.

The Story Begins

The sky in Lapland was quiet that morning. Christmas was almost two months away. Small snow flakes were falling here and there in the still and clear air. As soon as Santa woke up, he left for a practice flight with his reindeer and sleigh. Among the reindeer were several young reindeer that had not yet been included in the actual Christmas tour.

Santa Claus and his reindeer flew around Lapland so high that you could see a small dot only if you knew where to look. Suddenly, something happened. Santa Claus was digging in his backpack for some gingerbread and warm berry juice, prepared by Mrs. Claus, when a sudden strong gust of wind and a swarm of willow ptarmigans appeared in front of him. They disturbed the reindeers’ flight, and the reins fell from Santa’s hands. The whole caboodle began to fall towards the ground, and fell into a snow-covered cloudberry swamp near Korvatunturi at a pace that was much too fast.

The elves had seen everything and rushed in a panic to where Santa and the reindeer had landed. Santa was sitting on top of a stump at the edge of the swamp – but his eyes didn’t twinkle like they normally do. He was shaking out his hat, and with his other hand, feeling a big bump on his forehead while looking at the elves around him as if for the first time. Elf girl Sini was worried and went to hug Santa Claus. “Santa Claus! That was a scary fall. The runs of your sleigh are in pieces. I’m so glad you and the reindeer are fine.” The man with a red jacket and a white beard looked at her in confusion. “Santa Claus? What are you talking about? Who do you think I am? Who am I?”

The elves escorted Santa Claus back to Korvatunturi and gathered for an emergency meeting in the large main room. Mrs. Claus and the folks working in the kitchen brought juice and Christmas pies and sat down with the others to discuss what to do. Monitoring the world’s children, preparing gifts and all other important Christmas activities were about to be wasted. Santa Claus couldn’t remember a thing. No lists, no names, not even his own task. After examining Santa Claus, doctor elf Väinö suggested taking him out into the wide world among the people in disguise. “I believe that meeting people and hearing their stories will restore his memory.” Everyone thought the idea was excellent. So Santa was sent out in ordinary clothes – not to give out gifts, but to find himself and his memory and to remember his proper name. Meanwhile, the elves decided to continue preparing for Christmas as usual, and the carpentry elves repaired Santa’s sleigh so that it was even better than before. At the same time, the sleigh’s slightly faded red fabric covers, stained with berry juice and gingerbread crumbs, would be replaced.

Santa’s trip

Mr. Claus’ trip began in Rovaniemi, Finland. He came upon a market square with a tent. There was a long line of people waiting for their turn in front of the tent. “What’s going on here?” he asked at the back of the line. “This is a food line for the poor,” replied one of the last people in line. When it was Mr. Claus’ turn, he was led to a table, and he received a plate of pea soup and another one with pancakes and strawberry jam. “Why are you doing this?” Mr. Claus asked the person who brought him the food. “There are a lot of people who live in scarcity and do not have sufficient means to cope in everyday life. We help in a small way. I have my own challenges in life, but volunteering gives me meaning and fills my days. You, for example. You look like you don’t really know where you’re coming from or where you’re going. I hope that a warm meal and a brief conversation with me and perhaps some of the other diners will make your day better. Maybe someday you’ll have the opportunity to do your part. I believe that the world will be healed by small and large acts of altruism.” Mr. Claus felt a burst of warmth in his heart. He couldn’t remember why, but there was something important, perhaps more important than anything else, in that moment and those words.


While traveling to another country, Mr. Claus found himself in front of a middle school. During recess, a few students started squabbling and pushing each other around. Mr. Claus wondered if he should intervene. But before he could do anything, several classmates had gathered around the squabblers. “Hey, don’t you remember that we have agreed to keep the school free of bullying and fighting,” said one of them. “You, too, signed the decision and promise we all made,” continued another. “Keeping promises is always harder than making them. We also agreed that others would intervene immediately if someone forgets their promise,” added a third. The squabblers lowered their heads, slightly embarrassed. A teacher was following the situation in the yard. He praised everyone involved in the situation as the students were able to settle the dispute themselves. Mr. Claus, who was following the situation, continued on his journey, thinking and smiling as if he had remembered something.

As the journey continued, perhaps on a different continent, he was walking aimlessly in the alleys of a village in the evening. Suddenly, he saw a group of young men sitting, clearly sad and drinking just to get drunk. But Mr. Claus didn’t get angry. Instead, he asked: “Why are you doing that?” Some of the men were already getting ready to quarrel with the annoying passer-by. However, one of them was able to calm the others down. He replied: “We’ve been called to fight in a war and defend things that we do not understand. We have to report to the garrison tomorrow. It is unclear to us what this war is about. It feels like the leaders of this country are attacking neighboring countries to gain power, fame and money. We would like to live in peace and walk the paths we have chosen ourselves, with our own joys and sorrows. It feels like they don’t care about us and our destinies.”


“I care. I’m Santa Claus,” Santa Claus said quietly. As he walked away, he found himself remembering everything. “And I was going to do something,” he thought to himself.

Santa’s Speech

As everyone who believes in Santa Claus knows, Santa Claus has the ability to make unconscious and hidden contact with everyone in the world, as if through dreams and thoughts. As soon as his memory came back, he decided to give the same speech to every person in the world. He said:


“Good evening to you. I am Santa Claus – not a representative of any state, religion or ideology, but a symbol of humanity, understanding and goodness. I am you, aspiring to be better.I’ve been touring around the world for almost two months, meeting people and seeing how small acts of selflessness are transforming people and communities. My message is short and ancient: treat others as you would like others to treat you and your loved ones. Humanity cannot move forward through violence, lies, by overlooking things or by having double standards. Make a common agreement to treat the Earth as a place free of bullying, attacking and killing. Go and help whenever you see injustice happening. Do this by yourself and together with others. Thank you for listening.”

Back at Korvatunturi

A few days before Christmas Eve, Santa Claus returned to Korvatunturi. The elves were waiting anxiously.“I remember everything now,” he said. “Not lists of whether children and adults are naughty or nice – I remember why I am Santa Claus and why we, the people of the Land of Christmas are here.” Elf Sini asked: “What brought back your memory?”


“Connecting with people and the sense of community and goodness I have seen and experienced. Every good look, every caring word. Based on everything that happened along the way, I remembered that the deepest meaning of Christmas is not to reward people, but to remind them and every one of us. A good deed, big or small, is neither earned nor obligated; it is a gift.” The elves nodded cheerfully as they noticed that Santa Claus had indeed regained his memory and was speaking from his heart and glowing with enthusiasm again. “A gift is created together. Good deeds are a gift to the giver and recipient,” Santa continued and smiled. “Our job is to encourage people to be good to each other – to see each other, to care and to do things for each other. That’s the real meaning of Christmas.”