Ms. Claus and I sat at a table in the Mail Room while reading children’s letters. “It’s so nice to hear from boys and girls this time of year,” she remarked while sipping her tea.

“You are so right,” I responded after nibbling on a gingerbread cookie. “With eight more months until Christmas, we don’t get many letters. I like being able to take time getting the children’s wishes to Bernard so that we have just the right gift for everyone.”

Washing down the cookie with some hot chocolate, I reached for another envelope. This one was different. It displayed simple, careful handwriting instead of glitter and decorations. The return address read: Emma, age 7, from Maple Grove.

I adjusted my glasses and opened the letter. My face softened as I read Emma’s message. Finishing, I glanced in my wife’s direction. “Hate to interrupt your reading, but I think you should hear this.”

After Anya set her letter down, she leaned back to listen.

Dear Santa,

My name is Emma. I am seven years old. I love painting, snow angels, and hot chocolate with lots of mini-marshmallows. It’s too early to know what I want for Christmas, but I was hoping you could answer a question for me.

Why are some people mean to others for no reason? And why do they not like people they don’t even know? It makes me sad. Can you fix it?

Love, Emma.

PS My mom and I are trying some new cookie recipes for you for Christmas.

I let out a long sigh and looked at Ms. Claus. Her eyes glistened with tears.

“Oh, Nicholas,” she said softly, “what a tender heart this little girl has.”

I sat up in my chair and stroked my snowy beard. “I wish I could wave my hand and make the world kinder, my dear. But hearts can be complicated things.”

Mrs. Claus folded her hands in her lap. “Maybe she’s asking the question we should all be asking more often.”

I nodded. “You know, the thing about kindness is that it starts small. Like the first snowflake in a storm. One person choosing to be kind, even when others aren’t, and in time it begins to spread.”

My wife smiled gently. “Maybe what Emma needs to hear is that she’s not alone. That there are people who see the goodness in others, just like she does.”

I walked over to Anya’s desk and picked up a piece of paper and a pen. Returning to the table, I began to write:

Dear Emma,

Thank you for your beautiful letter. You have asked a very important question, one that even grown-ups struggle to understand.

Sometimes, people are unkind because they are hurting, or scared, or they’ve forgotten how wonderful it feels to be kind. But people like you remind them. Every time you smile at someone, share your cookies, or paint something beautiful, you’re helping the world remember to be nice.

The North Pole believes in you, Emma. Keep being brave, kind, and curious. Hearts like yours make the world a better place.

With love,
Santa Claus

PS I cannot wait to taste your new cookie recipes!

My wife placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “She’s going to love that.”

I sealed the letter with a golden snowflake stamp. “One little spark of kindness,” I said wishfully, “can light up the coldest winter night.”

And with that, the letter was sent on its way. Anya and I knew that even the smallest hearts can make the biggest difference.

Notes From Santa

I hope you enjoyed today’s story. Stories are posted on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of each month, except December. Santa’s next story will be posted on Saturday May 17, 2025.  If you have any comments or if there is something you would like me to tell you about, please feel free to leave me a comment. Until the next time . . .

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