Is There Evidence of Santa Claus?

With Christmas around the corner, have you ever wondered what activities to engage in during this festive season? This article introduces a Christmas-themed film - "Miracle on 34th Street". Released in 1994, this American movie is a remake of the 1947 classic, which garnered multiple accolades at the 20th Academy Awards, winning Best Supporting Actor, Best Story, Best Adaptation, and Best Picture, alongside a nomination for Best Picture.

The story of "Miracle on 34th Street" is adapted from a novel, narrating Santa Claus securing a job at a failing New York department store called Cole's during the holiday season. His role? Portraying Santa Claus for Cole's Christmas events. Santa Claus played genuinely, captivating the public's hearts, and resurrected Cole's from its financial slump. However, this outcome displeases some, leading another rival department store to devise schemes to sabotage Santa Claus, aiming to sink Cole's. Unfortunately, Santa Claus falls prey to their plan. He faces a courtroom battle to prove the existence of Santa Claus. Amidst debates, Santa Claus, with his lawyer, successfully averts the charges. Ultimately, he bids farewell to New York City, embarking on his true mission. Unlike other Christmas movies, this film delves deeply into Santa Claus's character, exploring the legitimacy of his existence. Though the later plot elements might slightly disappoint, the central theme and emphasis on the movie's narrative are commendable. Amongst numerous Christmas movies, this one truly stands as a film directly linked to the essence of "Christmas" rather than merely narrating stories set during the Christmas season.

Indistinguishable Truth

Dorey Walker: "I told her there wasn't a Santa Claus, then you bring her here, and she sees. Many kids see an outstanding actor with a real beard and a great costume sitting in their fantasy world. You see, who does she believe? Myth or her mother?"

Did you ever believe in Santa Claus as a child? I, for one, believed fervently, thrilled before Christmas, hanging my stocking at the bedside, wishing Santa Claus would bring me a gift. In today's fast-paced world, scientific advancements have clarified many facts. We might deny Santa Claus' existence due to his fantastical nature. How can a person make reindeer fly and circumnavigate the globe in one night? These facts indirectly suggest Santa Claus' non-existence. However, regarding direct evidence to substantiate Santa Claus' absence, we may lack such evidence. In "Miracle on 34th Street," the film includes the following dialogue:

Ed Collins: "It's absurd! Bryan Bedford turns this courtroom into a joke. He didn't prove the existence of Santa Claus."
Bryan Bedford: "Your Honor, I'd like to ask Ed Collins if he has evidence proving that Santa Claus doesn't exist."

In this world, some things elude proof of their existence or non-existence, between fantasy and the unimaginable for adults. Particular facts, like God, the Devil, ghosts, or even Santa Claus, lack concrete proof. Granted, Santa Claus differs from those above, adorned with fancy and holiday colors. Like the deities in Greek mythology, Santa Claus possesses abilities beyond human comprehension, such as delivering gifts to children worldwide in a single night or making reindeer fly across the skies. All these seem false to adults but real to children, making Santa Claus an actual presence.

Setting aside how children feel after discovering prolonged deception by adults, transitioning from "fact" to "just a myth" is quite challenging. Frankly, we might never find the genuine "fact." In today's world, "Santa Claus is a fictional character" holds. Similarly, "Santa Claus's existence" was also a fact in earlier times. So, how do we judge the matter of "Santa Claus's existence"?

A Commercialized Holiday

Santa Claus: “It doesn't matter where the toys come from, as long as it makes the kids happy. I believe everyone in the store feels that way.”

Cole's Department Store Customer: "Right, that's the spirit of Christmas. Thank you."

Do you know the relationship between Santa Claus and Christmas? I, too, was unaware of this film before watching it until after researching it online. In "Miracle on 34th Street," Santa Claus, Kriss, states, "I am not just a freak with a red suit and beard who laughs and says ho-ho. You know, I am a symbol. I symbolize the human ability to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule most of our lives." This Christmas movie emphasizes not just Christmas but the commercialization of Christmas.

Understanding the origins of Santa Claus sheds light on why Kriss vehemently rejects modern-day Christmas. According to online sources, Santa Claus's prototype originated from an older man in the Netherlands known for his altruism and aiding impoverished people. Allegedly, he once surreptitiously gifted gold nuggets to destitute girls to save them from being sold by their families. Thus, Santa Claus's original purpose is at odds with contemporary Christmas celebrations. At some point, no matter where we are, phrases like "discount," "sale," "promotion," and more surface around Christmas time. Giving others Christmas presents has become an excuse to promote consumerism. You might have heard of "holiday commercialization." Festivities that cannot be commercialized are gradually forgotten, while the essence of existing holidays becomes lost.

In "Miracle on 34th Street," Bryan Bedford remarks, "This is all about money. Do you know what destroyed Kriss? Power, greed, and money." This statement refers not just to Kriss but also to Christmas. In a society swamped by consumerism, everyone's urge to consume rises. When did we stop appreciating the original intent of holidays? For us, holidays bring vacations and provide an excuse for shopping, enabling us to buy things we usually wouldn't. It could be because we're not affluent, so we need an excuse to justify our spending. Or due to habitual shopping, we need a reason to buy. Have you ever wondered why we disregard the essence of holidays?

The portrayal of Santa Claus in films like 'Miracle on 34th Street' reflects the dichotomy between belief and skepticism, myth and reality. This dichotomy mirrors the challenges faced by the Christmas spirit itself—a struggle between the heartfelt joy of giving and the overpowering commercialization of the season. Perhaps, to reinvigorate Christmas cinema, we need narratives that capture the genuine essence of the holiday while acknowledging its contemporary complexities. Movies that embrace the spirit of generosity, compassion, and human connection without falling prey to commercial interests could indeed offer the 'update' Christmas cinema deserves. Much like the quest for evidence of Santa Claus, the evolution of Christmas cinema requires a delicate balance between tradition and innovation, staying true to its core while adapting to the modern world.