Frustrated Santa Claus in search of purpose

Oh, the deepest meaning of the universe and it all... the emptiness and hollowness... I am so exhausted and bored ...another round done... how many is it now? ... I have lost count. I could find this information by visiting the vault where I keep my old diaries, and of course they can now be found in digital format too but I just can’t muster up the energy or enthusiasm for it...and my memory is failing me today.

I have kept a diary since the beginning of time and it is all there, the mankind’s development and memories the way I have witnessed them through my own eyes and through the eyes of my elves who report to me the events they see. I know that with the latest technological advances it is only a question of time before someone hacks into my diaries, and therefore I have decided today, on December 26, 2018, to state here “formally” that I want to quit. And because of this, I will now and in the future, continue this diary for myself but also for you – the mankind.

I no longer have any desire to crisscross the world for a couple of days every year, visiting homes and asking inane questions or trying to avoid being spotted! It feels so pointless and silly. Superficial and fleeting.

Up until now, whenever I have encountered people who believe in me, I have tried to spread joy and foster belief in everything good. Children have always been closest to my heart. In children, everything is still in bud. Children are open and innocent. They are curious, and they want to learn what this life and world are all about. They are only just starting out on their journeys to find out who they are and where they are going.

But in just a few short moments, those children grow into adults. Self-centered, greedy and pretentious adults who deceive even themselves. Who compete for things and favor. All sanctimonious and without any encouragement, they throw stones at other people from their glass bubbles, failing to see their own warped and broken values and without admitting even to themselves that they are closing their eyes to their own flaws. In what direction do the mankind, its most powerful leaders and those who vote them into the positions of power want to take this world? It seems that adults are willfully spoiling everything. And it all takes place at an altar with an inscription “me, myself, more, now”. No god I know appreciates that altar. At the altar, people worship lizard brains and their short-sighted selfishness.

When does this happen and how? Where do those children disappear, with their enthusiasm for learning new, their trust and... and...authenticity. I feel that I don’t have the strength to reverse that seemingly inevitable process. I feel that while I’m losing my faith in people, I’m also losing my meaning. I no longer know why I exist or carry on performing this task...

I glimpsed through my old diaries. I’ve been thinking about future a lot recently. I’ve been wondering who I am. Do I want to carry on my miraculous work with the elves, Mrs. Claus and everyone else in the Christmas World at Korvatunturi? And I have arrived at an answer. I have found the strength to carry on.

The world and this universe are an adventure. It is a journey. It is a growth story. It is a growth story that is not bound by the boundaries of time and place and all living beings exist and develop within it for a limited period. And then it is time for the next to step up. An eternal and never-ending chain. A relay formed by creatures and events that, albeit independent and unique, descend from events, actions and fates that precede them. This chain gives each link its responsibility.

What is the role I, as Santa, should play in this eternal chain? I have now figured it out. I am a mediator between deities and humans. I am the messenger for goodness and authenticity. My main strength may lie in being imaginary; I only exist if people believe in me. I cannot be insulted. No one has to go to war or kill for me. I don’t need to be defended and no one needs to attack for me. And I still bring a message to people that is greater than their day-to-day matters and chores.

I encourage people to go on an adventure, to seek spiritual growth and to learn to know and renew themselves. On one day a year, I show how sincerity, selflessness and altruism are valuable and possible. I show that by giving, you gain. When you give and share with others, everything gets just that little bit better. As the Finnish Christmas carol says: “Everyone is feeling so good, warm and gentle – why couldn’t it be Christmas forever?” Even though it is just one day a year, I believe in the power of example. Every day of the year could be a little more like Christmas.

It’s up to you and other people. Even though it sometimes seems like the world is hurtling toward chaos and confusion and even though many people have lost their way or are at risk of doing so, there is so much hope too. We need people who are humble and generous on special occasions. And even more, we need people who, as part of their own growth stories, see and make use of their opportunities to help and support others. We need people who want to provide a good environment for others to live and grow.

And this is the true message of Christmas. Santa doesn’t want to represent the beliefs of any single religion. Santa is on the side of human beings. On the side of authenticity and sincerity. On the side of unity and trust. Santa is on your side. Believe in me. And believe in yourself. I am just you, striving to become better.

I’d better go and do some maintenance on my sleigh. Rudolpf and his team also need their supper and apples as a treat. After that, Mrs. Claus and I will go to the elves’ workshop for our traditional pre-Christmas mulled wine dance. Come Christmas, I’ll be visiting you too. So we’ll meet soon again. Merry Christmas to all!