The following is from a recent “Santa Cast” podcast:
A conversation between Angel Flake, the host, and Santa Claus!
Angel Flake:
Hello again, Friends! And a very Merry Christmas to you all! My name is Angel Flake, and
I want to welcome you back to our podcast. Today we have a super special holiday season podcast!
A conversation with everyone’s favorite visitor –St. Nick! Father Christmas! Kriss Kringle! Pere Noel! Or as most everyone knows: Santa Claus!
Welcome, Santa!
Santa Claus:
Why, thank you, Angel! I always enjoy the time I spend with you and all the kids…but especially now, as we get closer to Christmas.
Angel Flake:
Well – shall we begin? I have some questions, and I also have some from all the kids out there.
Santa Claus:
Let’s go!
Angel Flake:
OK, then…First question: Santa, where are you from?
Santa:
Ho. Ho. Ho! I get that a lot! And the answer usually surprises people. But let me ask you, Angel. Where do YOU think I am from?
Angel Flake:
Well, Santa – from the North Pole, of course!
Santa:
That’s right! That’s where I live now. But a long time ago, when I was little, we lived in a small town called Patara. It’s in Turkey. That’s where I grew up.
Ho. Ho. Ho! By the way, that’s not the same turkey you might have for Christmas dinner, you know. And oh, my family was actually Greek.
Angel Flake:
Wow! I didn’t know that. Thank you!
But I guess that leads me to another question: how did you get into your Christmas work?
Santa:
Now it’s my turn to say, “Wow!” How much time do we have for this podcast, Angel? That’s a long story. I will try to make it short for your listeners, though.
Angel:
Take all the time you need, Santa. The kids will love to hear your story. I bet the moms and dads will, too!
Santa:
Well then – the short version. When I little, we were kinda rich. But when I was still pretty young, both my parents got sick. It wasn’t COVID back then, but it was something which made a lot of folks sick. Many died. Sadly, like my parents.
My mom and dad always like to help people, and they really like helping children. They passed that love on to me, I guess.
As soon as I could, I tried to help kids, just like they had done – with the money my parents left me.
Angel:
Oh, that’s wonderful! But how did you end up at the North Pole? That’s a long way from Turkey!
Santa:
Yes, it is. Here’s the short version again! People heard about my gifts to the children. They started asking me to help others, too, if I could. So I tried!
That took me to other places and other countries. I really traveled a lot in those days. (Guess I still do now.) I took the long way around, though! (Ho. Ho! Still do!)
People started giving me other names, too. Names like “Sinterklass”. That’s one you may not have heard before. It’s Dutch, from Holland. It means, “Saint Nicholas.” Oh, my goodness, I thought. “Saint”!? Too much!
As I traveled, I was called Father Christmas, Pere Noel, and many other names, too. Here, my name has simple become Santa Claus… sorta sounds like St. Nick, huh?
Over all the years, I needed a place to settle down and call home. I also needed a place to work and get all the gifts ready for the kids. The North Pole was about as far away and as quiet a place as I could find.
But it’s cold up there!
Angel:
Aha! So that helps explain your big coat and boots! But why red?
Santa:
Great question! Ever been to the North Pole? It is cold.
But it is also dark a lot of the year. And it’s usually pretty white outside. So the red clothes make it easier for the elves and everyone to see me. Just being practical.
Angel:
Make good sense, Santa! Now….since you brought them up, can you explain the elves? Where do they come from? How did they get to the North Pole with you?
Santa:
Oh, the elves. They are so cool! You know, there are a bunch who live and work with me at The Pole, but they are really all over the place! You’ve heard of leprechauns? In Ireland. And menehunes in Hawaii. And lots of other places, too. They kind of come to the North Pole in shifts. They spend a lot of time all around the world just watching, checking – and often just messing with people. Then, when they are ready, they come north and give some others a chance to go somewhere warmer or greener for a while.
When they do come up, they get trained on all the different things that need to get done for Christmas. And then, they start working.
Actually, they call it playing because of all the toys, music, goodies and stuff that are around.
They do check in with their friends around the world, too, to see how all the children are. And how they are behaving.
So, kids, be good!!
Angel:
What about the reindeer, Santa? How do they fly?
Santa:
Well, as you might guess, we have a lot more than 8 or 9 in the whole herd! We have a whole big herd. The older veterans all work together to help train the young ones. And when the youngsters get to be a certain age, the older reindeer teach them how to fly.
It’s part skill, part desire – and a big part magic Christmas magic! (I can’t give away too many secrets, you know!)
Angel:
I get it! But can you share just one? This comes from one of our young friends in Washington: Is there really a Rudolph? And does he have a bright red nose?
Santa:
Well, that’s a secret I can share! The answer is both yes and no. We do have a leader, but the role changes. But every couple of years, the reindeer choose one from their herd to act as their captain.
One year, a guy wrote a song about the leader and gave him his name: Rudolph.
Some of the team like the job! It’s cool. Others don’t want it. It’s more work and responsibility. The captain is like the navigator, the one who makes sure we are on the right route to everybody’s house and that we don’t get lost. That did happen a few times over the years.
The captain also wears a headlight on the end of his or her nose. They say that that is either really cool or really cold and uncomfortable. So….
Angel:
That’s such a cool thing to share, Santa. So now, we are coming to the end of our time together today. Do you have any last thoughts you want to share with our listeners?
Santa:
Thanks, Angel, just one more Christmas secret.
All those cookies, eggnog and other goodies. You probably won’t be too surprised when I tell you that I don’t eat them all on Christmas Eve when I come to visit. (I’m really not all that big, if you know what I mean.)
I do love all the treats, and I do eat my fair share, for sure! But I also refill my sack with some which I take back for the elves. They love them, too! And the reindeer also love the carrots and other snacks that kids leave for them, too.
Angel:
Aha! I have always wondered……
And with that, we will say good-bye to Santa. Thank you so very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us – all of us – today, Santa. We love you very much!
Santa:
And thank you, Angel! It is always a treat to be able to talk to the kids.
Now remember, Christmas is a birthday! It’s a time for loving and sharing that love and joy.
Merry Christmas to you all!
