I believe in Father Christmas

Eeeek! It’s only nearly here.

Feeling a bit festive now, helped by the fact that we’ve just been on a jolly lovely family outing – a steam train trip with Father Christmas.

And while, as adults, we know that the man in the red suit is actually someone’s relative with an itchy stick-on beard, it’s still utterly lovely to get swept up in the palpable excitement of any nearby young person.

I wonder how long we’ve got before our daughter stops believing – she’s a very logical young lady (unlike her mother) who has started to question quite a lot of the practicalities of the whole billions-of-presents-delivered-in-one-night concept.*

That time will inevitably come, but for the moment, it’s still this year and she’s still a firm believer.

And in a frankly frightening, confusing and unfair world, a little bit of belief that people – in red suits or not – can be good and kind is not a bad thing.

Whatever you’re up to this Christmas, whoever you’re with and whatever you believe, have a peaceful one and see you next year.

:: I believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake

*Frightening how many lies we tell children while drumming into them how important it is to always tell the truth. I’m not sure how much distrust and/or damage we cause, but I’m hoping that ageing and common sense will overcome any feelings of betrayal. Either that, or the Christmas pud sixpences are going to have to pay for some substantial sessions on the couch as an adult.