Day 17 | Advent Calendar
Unmasking Santa Claus by R.A. Kerr
I was eight years old when I learned Santa Claus was not real.
Yes, I know. Eight years of age is pretty old to be blindsided by this news. And it came from my little brother. Who was five.
My family was driving to Christmas Eve mass. It was a cold, clear night, and I was studying the sky just in case that sneaky Claus decided to do a fly-by while we were at church.
I was worried. Christmas Eve was always stressful: What if we didn’t get home in time? What if there was some horrible, unrepented-for-deed I committed during the year? What if ol’ Claus forgot where we lived?
I must have been fretting – out loud – because my brother said, “Santa Claus isn’t real, you know.”
I whipped around in my seat. “What?!”
“I said he’s not real.” He was oh-so smug.
I suddenly realized the hard truth of it. A heavy man flying around in a motorless sled? Powered by REINDEER? Impossible! What on earth was I thinking?
I felt ripped off and not a little foolish. But I’m sure my family was secretly grateful to my five-year old brother for containing the biggest source of stress on Christmas Eve: Me.
Author Bio:
R.A. Kerr is a freelance writer and a passionate classic movie fan who writes about old movies at silverscreenings.org.
Solveig Werner 
A poignant story. When the dream dies, the loss of innocence is shattering.
I don’t recall when I found out. I have a 12-y-o granddaughter who still believes. Isn’t that a.m.a.z.i.n.g.?
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That is! Well I tried to convince myself that all was true for a long time. Because the magic is just magic!
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I can live with magic. The feeling doesn’t disappear. I guess it changes a little–grows up a bit?
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I loved to pretend as I had a younger sister. I think there is something with growing up in there, being behind the scenes and all that…
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I.n.d.e.e.d. It all goes by so fast. Sigh.
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It is a bit shattering when you find out the truth about Santa Claus. I felt so foolish!
Your 12 year-old granddaughter still believes? That is remarkable!
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Unless she’s pretending. She and her younger sister also believe in the Elf on the Shelf. Boggles the mind. It’s a wonder her friends haven’t burst her bubble–if she’s not pretending. 🙂
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I remember being in kindergarten. It was story time and Mrs. Hart read a book to us. I don’t remember the book but what I remember is that after the story, she said, “You all know there is no Santa Claus, right?” I was heart broken!
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Oh that’s just horrible! I am sorry that it happened that way!
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It made hyper vigilant about how my kids found out, and mostly when.
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Ouch! That is a harsh way to find out about Santa.
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Yes. It was. I remember crying on the way home from school but not saying anything about why. I kept the secret that I knew for a long time. I had younger siblings and didn’t want to ruin it for them.
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I think my kids may have suspected for quite some time the whole thing was just a huge lie we all told in order to coerce children into behaving, but they didn’t let on, because I think they secretly loved to see me squirm while trying to answer their pointed questions about Santa (lies begetting more lies).
Great post!!!!
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Haha! I like the thought of your diabolical kids trying to make you squirm. 😉
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It is one their favorite pastimes.
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Bahaha! That is awesome!
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Damn shame, that is little brothers for you!! Lovely post!!
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Yup, that is exactly like a brother. Meanwhile, I was a perfect big sister and never gave him reason for grief. Nope, not ever.
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Oh! Being the youngest of six I believe you!!!
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Reblogged this on willowdot21 and commented:
Hi this is part of Solveig Werner’s at https://solveigwerner.com .. Day 17 | Advent Calendar Unmasking Santa Claus by R.A. Kerr . A lovely family story, brothers who needs them! I shall be trying to reblog the entries daily! By the way my entry is December 22nd. Happy Advent . Enjoy. xxx
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I believe and I’m 73. :o)
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I think I should take a page out of your book. 😉
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Not surprised you still remember this. Beautifully written. ❤ I did laugh out loud at the ending, though. Nice touch. Now that we're older, the holidays are stressful in a completely different way. Ah, well. They are also full of magic.
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My poor parents. I think they had their hands full with me. They probably gave my kid brother secret high-fives for the next 24 hours.
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Little brothers!!! It must have been a horrid blow for you to learn the truth, but I hope the magic was still there for you 🙂
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Our parents always made it a special time of year, so the sting of learning about Santa was definitely short-lived. 🙂
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