119 years ago, a little girl wrote to a newspaper column to ask if Santa Claus was real. After some of her friends had told her otherwise, she wanted so desperately to be able to believe. Francis Pharcellus Church, the editor of the newspaper, wrote back to tell her that yes, there is a Santa Claus. He concluded his letter saying” Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.” Since Sept. 21, 1897, so much has happened to the world to make many doubt the existence of Santa Claus and the magic of a Christmas miracle. However, today in 2016, Santa is still with us.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Sometimes, we think it’s hard to find him. Actually, impossible. He must just be made up, to keep kids from misbehaving and give them something to look forward to. We look in shopping malls, holiday parades and someone crawling down the chimney on Christmas Eve. But Virginia, this is our problem.

We’re looking for Santa in all the wrong places.

Are we just searching for the guy with the white beard and big red coat? Do we think we’re going to find him under the tree Christmas morning?

No, Santa is so much more than that. I know because I have seen Santa.

I’ve seen him working in soup kitchens on Christmas morning, serving meals to the homeless and poor. I’ve seen him with the firefighters and cops who risk their lives everyday, like those who rushed in to the art gallery in Oakland or the apartments in Cambridge just this past week. I’ve seen Santa in a mother’s eye who didn’t think she could give her kids a good Christmas, but because of the help of her community, her kids have presents to open too just like the other ones. I’ve seen Santa in those serving away from home during the holidays, both in the military and service corps, to protect and spread peace. I’ve seen Santa in the teacher who stays hours after school with a child to give the emotional and academic support they won’t receive anywhere else. I’ve seen Santa in Pope Francis, when I hear the stories of him taking humility to a whole other incredible level. I’ve seen Santa in the nurses and doctors of the sick, both young and old, who do their best to help them see this next Christmas and many more after that. I’ve seen Santa in my own family, when I know how lucky I am to have people who love me so much.

In the next few weeks, I think I’ll see Santa a few more times. Maybe not in the most expected places, but where I never even thought he was needed. I won’t be waiting for him on the rooftop, but rather waiting for him in my heart, and that my Christmas gift is the compassion he gives the world.

Yes Virginia, thank God there is a Santa Claus. As long as you believe in Christmas miracles, and have faith in the goodness of humanity, especially during the holiday season, Santa will be with us forever.