Find the “Believe House” along Williamsburg Drive, north of Gartner Road and south of West Street.
“Believe” signs are illuminated throughout Naperville at Christmastime.
On Christmas Day, Christian families will gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet, even earlier throughout the holiday season, many spotlights have been shining on the Nativity story with displays that depict Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Wise Men who arrived at the manger to follow Baby Jesus, with angels singing, telling others the miraculous story of Christmas.
More than 40 years ago, my mother gave us a set of figurines for a manger scene that our three children assembled in a tabletop-size crèche year after year. Seems like just yesterday they took turns arranging the goat, lambs and cows, carefully placing Baby Jesus in the manger.
Over time, the religious holiday has welcomed cultural celebrations among billions of individuals and families, believers and nonbelievers, around the world who share the giving spirit to find comfort and joy on Christmas Day.
Most of us parents are aware that some of the magic of Christmas for very young children begins with faith in Santa. Stories and memories, accompanied with photos of toddlers on Santa’s lap, sometimes in tears, likely will last a lifetime.
When our three kids were little, we explained the real-life images of Santa that appeared everywhere—some ringing bells for the Salvation Army, some short and round, and some tall and fat—were “Santa’s helpers.” The real Santa, we continually explained, is stationed permanently at the North Pole and lives forever in your heart.
After a recent phone call from a Naperville mom, those early memories of parenting created a flash back to more than 35 years ago when we lived in Chatham, NJ. Our pastor, Bob Simpson, was known not only for his sermons about the birth of Christ, but also for presentations of his program about “Santa Claus.” Rev. Simpson had collected original art by political cartoonist Thomas Nast, the artist who created the Santa images in “The Night before Christmas,” a poem credited to Clement Clarke Moore. Rev. Simpson used his personal collection of originals by the 19th century artist that had appeared in Harper’s Weekly to tell his enlightening story and to create attractive exhibits at Drew University. And that’s another story.
For this story, I recall when we mothers would find ourselves talking about how our children had begun to be suspicious regarding the “real” Santa. It’s been interesting to note how other families tried to extend their youngsters’ belief to keep the magic going.
For instance, one way to do it is to link up to NORAD Tracks Santa on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
For 65 years, NORAD has been tracking Santa‘s international adventure to deliver presents to every home on Christmas Eve. Even before today’s advanced technology, the innovative folks at NORAD provided news reports for radio and TV commentators to let folks follow along Santa’s route from one country to the next. Using today’s satellite technology, families now can track Santa on maps and videos while he tours the world. The website already is up and running, telling folks to visit Christmas Eve!
Simple suggestion: If you plan to visit NORAD Tracks Santa, be sure kids are in bed before Santa’s anticipated time of arrival at your house shows up on the NORAD site!
Santa’s Mishap over Gartner Road
As one local story goes, back in the early 1990s, new fallen snow created a beautiful winter scene throughout Naperville.
While a family on Gartner Road was preparing to celebrate its traditions on Christmas Eve, the conversation among the four young children turned to wonder about Santa Claus and his generous holiday spirit of giving. Perhaps their faith had been shaken by so many jolly old elves, all shapes and sizes, in bright red suits.
Then the phone rang. Chelsi, age 7, the oldest child, raced to answer.
“Chelsi, is that you?” the caller asked.
Chelsi acknowledged as she shook her head “yes.”
“Chelsi, this is Santa Claus. Ho. Ho. Ho. I’m in a bit of a pickle,” and Santa continued, explaining he was calling from his miniature sleigh en route to deliver presents to good little boys and girls. He said he was using his handy new cell flip phone that Mrs. Claus had given him just before Christmas. (Santa took another moment to explain that in 1989 cell phones began to shrink in size with the Motorola MicroTac, a flip phone small enough to fit inside the pocket of his red suit.)
“Problem is Prancer and Dancer became a little feisty while we were flying over your house. They brushed the treetops and turned my miniature sleigh on its side for a few seconds… And all your presents fell out,” Santa said. “If you can believe it, Chelsi, and lucky for you, all of your Christmas gifts are scattered all over your yard!”
Reports from Chelsi’s mother are that Chelsi’s wide eyes got bigger and bigger the longer she listened.
“You’ll have to bundle up and put on your boots, and go outside to see if you can find all your presents,” Santa added. “Mer-ry Christmas!”
And Santa was gone in a flash.
Chelsi hung up the phone and told her family what Santa had said. She then followed Santa’s instructions. In her search, she found her presents all around the yard in the snow.
Thirty-some years later, folks who listen carefully just might hear the retelling of that memorable Santa Claus tale when they drive along Gartner Road on Christmas Eve!
Cheers to a healthful and happy Christmas Day to all!
May this Christmas Day and every day be filled with simple joys, fond memories, good health, faithful humor and peace.
—Stephanie Penick, PN
Editor’s Note / Yes. Some creative license was used in the attributes to tell the story about Santa’s mishap along Gartner Road. The message, however, remains the same. Believe. And thanks to all for supporting the local business community and all hospitality enterprises. Need stocking stuffers to help Santa? Shop locally.
Special thanks to Diane Persin for opening the door!
