It is a curious thing, this business of Christmas deliveries. My reindeer cannot soar throughout the year; their flight comes only when the Christmas Spirit is strong in children’s hearts. I travel under cover of night, for if a child ever glimpsed my magnificent sleigh and eight flying reindeer, the very thing that allows us to fly in the first place becomes less, the Spirit of Christmas wanes a bit. You see, belief is delicate, and true faith requires that some things remain unseen. The Spirit is not in the air—it lives in the heart, and it is belief that sustains it. If a child were ever to know as fact what they once only believed, the need for faith, and the power of it, would be lost.
Now, with all this secrecy you might wonder why my reindeer wear bells?! The answer is simple. If you heard the clamor of all those bells coming from outside your window, what would you do? I bet you’d run to see, and then I’d know you are not asleep yet and I need to come back later.
My team is a careful mix of boys and girls. The girls—Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen—take the lead because they are nimble and quick, expertly dodging chimneys, tree branches, and even the occasional satellite dish. Though I like to joke that the girls should be in front anyway—they know where we are going! At the back, the strong boys—Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen—provide the muscle needed to lift the sleigh over rooftops and through thick snow.
The entire flight is a delicate choreography. Careful timing, steady nerves, and the skill of my reindeer make it possible, but it is the belief in children that truly powers the journey. It is what allows my team to lift off from rooftops and return safely to the StarCross Ranch. That’s where the reindeer live, the sleigh is maintained, and my Mrs. and I enjoy the Lodge during reindeer training—as they start getting light on their hooves once people begin dreaming about Christmas. Don’t get me wrong—the workshop is lovely and magical—but the elves are always energetic, and that’s probably not the best place to recover. The ranch is perfect for resting, reflecting, and planning our vacation travels. This year, we’ll be touring the US in our motorhome that we store in Florida, if you can believe that. And so, with every completed stop, the night grows quieter, hearts grow fuller, and the Spirit of Christmas persists—kept safe, and alive, in the heart of every child who believes.