In September 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon asked a now-famous question in a letter to the New York Sun.

Is there a Santa Claus?

Not only did the letter make young Virginia O’Hanlon a celebrity, but it prompted one of the famous newspaper editorials ever written with an answer to O’Hanlon’s question. It is reprinted today, a tradition our sister paper in Warren, Ohio, takes part in each year in part, the editorial page said, because it’s entirely possible that no one has answered the question better, nor has anyone better described the spirit of Christmas. The newspaper argues – and we are inclined to agree – that the Sun’s simple answer seems to take on more power as the world becomes more complicated.

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“Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus … Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?”

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With our best wishes for a beautiful holiday season, here is Sun editorial writer Francis P. Church’s reply to every child of every........

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