Yes, Valencia, there is a Santa Claus

Just for fun, I thought I would use this December column to highlight the whimsical and fictional case of the State of New York vs. Kris Kringle. The story captured originally by Valentine Davies in his short story titled, “Miracle on 34th Street” and the 1947 movie of the same name. The story has been subsequently retold on radio, stage, television and screen.

The case revolves around Kris Kringle unexpectedly stepping in to play Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, his hiring as the Macy’s department store Santa, and his subsequent conflict with the toy department manager.

Kris Kringle, in asserting he is in fact Santa Claus, becomes the subject of a competency determination. Disheartened by the process, Kris Kringle intentionally fails his competency evaluation and is now subject to commitment in a psychiatric hospital.

The matter comes before the court, with the Hon. Henry X. Harper presiding. The state of New York presents the failed test and rests its case. When the New York City Postal employee sees a letter addressed to Santa at the courthouse, he has all the letters addressed to Santa delivered to the courthouse.

After the defense presents a few of these letters, the prosecution is underwhelmed. The defense says he has more but is hesitant to produce them; the prosecution encourages the admission and the judge agrees.

Post office employees then place bags, more bags and even more bags of letters that cover the judge’s bench. In view of the overwhelming evidence, the judge rules that if the United States government declares Kris Kringle to be Santa Claus, the court would not dispute it and dismissing the case.

For my own part, my first memory of Santa Claus was that of a bearded man in a red suit who had the eyes and nose of my own father. Years later, I learned that my father, Robert P. Chavez, would suit up as Santa for Knights of Columbus events and play the role for children in our community.

Other interactions at shopping malls and department stores are still present in my own memories.

I had my own turn as Santa while in college at New Mexico State University while living in married family housing. Although I benefited from the use of an elastic beard and a pillow-filled Santa suit, the children were delighted none-the-less. Truthfully, regrettably, or otherwise I could fill out that Santa suit a bit better today without the aid of pillows — but I still lack the beard to fully embody the role.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of witnessing my own children and now grandchildren’s reaction to Santa. Typically, smiles and laughter have been the expressions of joy. To be honest though, when confronting this stranger dressed in red from head to toe there have been a few tears, too.

I have had the pleasure of knowing two different Santa Clauses personally — one, a local volunteer, the other a professional Santa.

One of my Santa friends is Pete Smargon. Pete is the go-to Santa for local schools and non-profits. He began his Santa career more than 50 years ago while working with the YMCA in Brooklyn.

Santa Pete has been serving the children of Valencia County since 2006. If you have a picture of your child with Santa taken in Valencia County in the last 20 years, then you have probably have a picture of Santa Pete. You can catch a glimpse of Santa Pete on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Los Lunas Christmas Parade.

My other friend is from my early Army days. Larry Jefferson is a professional Santa. Santa Larry started his Santa persona for his own family. Then, while serving as a chaplain assistant in the Texas Army National Guard, Larry deployed abroad with his Santa suit to the Middle East. Visiting deployed soldiers in their place of work and hospitals, he also served as a sort of unofficial ambassador of the North Pole to the many countries he visited.

Larry, now retired, spends most of the winter months as Santa. Honesty, I see more Santa in him than the soldier with which I started my Army career. Larry is the first African American Santa to suit up at the Mall of the Americas in Minnesota. He has made his appearance there since 2016, and they have booked him again this year. He estimated to me that tens of thousands of children have visited him over the years.

Regardless of who plays the part of Santa Claus, the underlying goal remains the same — to share holiday joy and spread goodwill.

How each of us celebrates the holiday season may be different. Nativity scenes, menorahs and Santa Claus all serve as symbols of hope, miracles and generosity — all of which we can use more of.

So yes, Valencia, if you ask me, there is a Santa Claus.

(Magistrate Judge John R. Chavez is the magistrate in Belen. He is a native of Valencia County and is a retired U.S. Army colonel.)