Is There a Santa Claus?
by FEMA
ATS Weekly, Edition 022, December 13, 2005
As a group ATS members pride themselves on matters related to either corroborating or
debunking the existence of enigmatic subjects. Based on evidence, common sense, and generally
exhaustive Internet searches to support their points, ATS members can be counted on to cut the
wheat from the chaff in their undying efforts to bring clarity and validation to the table of
verification. It is in this light I offer scientific validation - not to mention heartwarming
corroboration - to the existence of Santa Claus. As a parent, big brother or sister, you will be able
to point to ATS as the group who irrefutably and scientifically proved the existence of Santa
Claus. After all, as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra song, An Old City Bar, says, " . . . inside of this
night it is easier to believe." I leave you now to consider the following with not only an open mind
but more importantly an open heart.
It was while watching a recent TV Christmas commercial it occurred to me that I'd soon have to
provide a definitive answer to a timeless question: "Dad, is there a Santa Claus?"
I've had several days to consider a few possible answers which ranged from overwhelming public
proclamation to the scientific. I decided to settle on scientific validation.
What I needed was evidence that showed science accepting the existence of something outside
being able to directly observe it. (Kids, you need not trouble yourself with the scientific answer
below - this is for your parents. I, for one, understand children have always known the "real"
answer.)
Enter the Higgs boson, AKA the God particle. Dubbed the "God particle" by Nobel Prize-
winning physicist Leon Lederman (I purchased his book), the Higgs boson is a controversial
particle believed to endow all other particles with mass. Lederman's hypothesis supports the
existence of the elusive God particle based on its effect on visible particles (in close proximity to
it) after a collision in a supercollider. A simpler explanation would be to consider an invisible
soccer ball being kicked into a net. Although you wouldn't see the soccer ball fly or enter the net,
the bulge in the back of the net would prove the existence of the ball - not to mention a goal.
In short, we have an observable cause and effect relationship which science has seized upon to
support its position that something unobservable can and does exist. Remember, science is simply
observing effects of an unobservable particle, not the particle itself. Therefore, we need only
prove an effect is present to substantiate the irrefutable existence of Santa Claus.
Enter Santa Claus, A.K.A. Saint Nic. Despite the fact many millions of children have provided
wondrous wide-eyed corroboration of the jolly old soul's existence, grownups (who've drifted too
far from childhood) remain blind and deaf to such innocent, compelling and utterly
unimpeachable, confirmation - they should get a lump of coal!
Back to science. In our quest for immutable evidence to Santa's existence we need only prove he
has an observable effect - if it's good enough for science, it's good enough for Santa!
Three years ago I was attending an old-folks home which was about to welcome Santa Claus. The
room was filled with gentle old souls sitting at long tables which framed a circle of wheel chairs.
A hush fell over the group as they strained to hear the distant giggle of the merriest elf.
As Santa strode into the room, several matriarchs exclaimed, "Look! It's Santa!" His twinkling
blue eyes fell on a motionless figure slumped in her wheelchair, her sparkling name tag hung as
immobile as she. As Santa walked to her side, the room fell silent. His deep gentle voice filled the
room. "Oh, my dear Sara, how you've grown over the years. Have you been a good girl?" Several
gasped at what happened next. Sara, who'd been silent and motionless for the past year, began to
move. Her eyes slowly opened as her bobbing head craned upward to find his familiar face. Her
emotionless face began to beam. "Hi Santa." She whispered.
The noblest of elves began to laugh filling the room with his booming roar, "Ho, Ho, Ho!" The
rest of the group joined in, nervously at first, then into full joyous laughter. I studied the face of
one nurse standing beside Sara (Nurse: Noun; earthly angel who has not yet received their wings)
who was crying then giggled in puzzled amazement, her hand over her mouth.
Santa moved about the room addressing everyone by name knowing something personal about
those he spoke with. The nurses looked at each other perplexed, their shoulders shrugged as they
scanned the room for a face with an answer - there was none.
After several minutes, Santa left. The room filled with excited chatter as people started to recount
what had just happened. Several nurses surrounded Sara who'd slumped once again and gone
quiet - they rubbed her hands imploring her to speak, she would not stir.
Science? Well, if we need only prove something heretofore considered not to be detectable only
have an effect on something in order to exist, then we have proved our case.
Some say angels walk among us - that we should treat everyone with respect and kindness for we
know not whom we entertain - after that evening I am compelled to believe them.
FEMA
ATS Contributor
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