Setting the Stage
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas event that takes place every winter is unparalleled to any other Christmas production. The park is trimmed with Christmas lights all over the place, heart-warming tales are brought to life in great musical productions and the smell of warm cinnamon bread from the grist mill is caught in the cool mountain air. These are just a few of the highlights. Along with all these things celebrating the season, Dolly Parton, and her theme park, have even had the ability to change my view of Santa Claus.
It was a few Christmas seasons ago that I decided to check out this place called Dollywood and see what it was all about. I was impressed, mesmerized by the sights and sounds and thrilled that such a place was a mere weekend trip away from my home in Kentucky.
Dolly and Kenny’s I Believe in Santa Claus.
Unsure of where to begin, nearly racing around the park in excitement, taking in all I could, I eventually boarded the Dollywood Express- a real steam locomotive, chugging around the park. As it climbed up one of the foothills of the Smokies, a song was piped into the train, “I Believe in Santa Clause,” by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. I was relatively new to Dolly Parton and hadn’t heard this song before. It was from Dolly and Kenny’s 1984 Christmas album, “Once Upon a Christmas.” Among its lyrics are a string of positive sayings, including:
“I believe when someone hurts us we should forgive and forget”
“I believe in family, in country and in smiles”
“I believe in saying what you mean and meaning what you say” ‘
“I believe a better attitude can make a better way”
“I believe love should prevail at any cost”
“I believe I am so therefore I should do all that I can
To be a better piece in the puzzle of God’s plan.”
Along with all these statements, repeated in the main chorus, is added “And I believe in Santa Claus.” I was attentive to the song. It was catchy and festive, but I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the lyrics. Were they simply sugar coated and frosted feel good words for the holidays, or did they have more meaning? And if they did hold meaning, how exactly would Santa Claus equate to love prevailing at any cost and forgiving and forgetting. The Santa Claus we know of gives gifts to children on Christmas and has a naughty and nice list, but Dolly has associated him with much more. As a Christian, I honor the fun and cultural tradition of Santa Claus, but I don’t oversaturate my Christmas with this character, when to me Christmas has a much deeper meaning in Christ’s birth. Is there a way to reconcile Santa Claus with my religious belief of Christmas?
Now it is true, whom we consider Santa Claus is a historic figure. Only his story and attributes have been fictionalized greatly over time. What we do know is that the original Saint Nicholas, from whom we have derived the modern Santa Claus, was a third century Christian bishop in Asia Minor known for his good will and secret gift giving, but think about who he has become today. Who is Santa Claus to you?
Twas the Night Before Christmas
In Dollywood, there is a stage production every Christmas season called “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” It’s largely about Santa Claus, not the historic saint, but the jolly man of today. The mother in the stage production says, “Santa Claus is generosity personified.” She sings, “You find him anywhere you find unselfish love,” and “If there is kindness in this world, there is a Santa Claus.” This is when the Christmas light came on in my mind.
Believing in Santa Claus, as Dolly has put in her songs, is not simply believing in the magical man in the red suit. It is believing in a spirit of kindness, of giving and goodness. Dolly expounded further on this concept by explaining her song, “I Believe in Santa Claus,” in the audiobook version of “Songteller: My Life in Lyrics.” The man we know as Santa Claus is the personification of those good things Dolly sings about. Santa Claus is all the good will of Christmas wrapped up and materialized as a person, from God Reaching down with the greatest gift of all in a manger, to the hope that brings and the love that it displays. He also personifies the excitement in our hearts this time of year, the joy in our celebrations and the love and generosity which has been shown to us, which we extend to others. Santa Claus is the spirit of all of this. He’s all of it wrapped up in a character, or at least that’s what Dolly and her theme park have convinced me.
Be More Santa Claus
It’s easy in the gloom of winter to become pessimistic and let coldness creep in our hearts, but pause, do you see Santa Claus? Look for him in the acts of kindness this season. You’ll find him in the selfless acts of love, in kindness between strangers, and the care of a neighbor. Be encouraged as you seek out the good around you this Christmas, but also be reminded not to just look for and recognize the good things around you, but remember to encompass that spirit in your own life. The Christmas season is a great time to bring generosity and kindness to the forefront, and bring light to others in the dark of winter. It could be time for us all to be just a little more Santa Claus.
Insider Tips
– You can catch Santa Claus in person at work in his cabin in the Smokies at Dollywood during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas event.
– Seeing the “Twas the Night Before Christmas” stage production is well worth your time and a great way to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
– Take a train ride on the Dollywood Express. Plan to get there ahead of time to secure a spot and enjoy the Christmas lights from the train.
– A Dollywood season pass can make a great Christmas gift.
Listen to Dolly and Kenny’s “I Believe In Santa Claus”
Josh Hodge blog 