by Mathilde, age 7, writes to Santa from Odense, Denmark, and asks how old are you, santa?
Dear Santa,
My name is Mathilde, and I am 7 years old. I live in Odense, Denmark, where her farfar says the whole town celebrates because it is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen.
Dear Mathilde, that is exactly the sort of detail I like to hear about Odense. It tells me you are paying close attention to the world around you, which is a fine habit to keep. Please keep noticing things like that.
Santa, I have three questions. First, how old are you, Santa? My dad and I were arguing about it at breakfast.
I am considerably older than the calendar can keep track of, but my elves stopped counting candles somewhere around the invention of the printing press. Age is mostly a state of mind up here, and mine is set permanently to jolly.
Second, my grandpa was telling us about the Odense River, which runs right through the middle of the old town near her house. Do you fly over that on your Christmas Eve route?
Every single year, without fail. The odense river, which runs right through the middle of the old town near her house is one of the sights the reindeer look forward to most, and I always tell the newer reindeer to watch closely as we pass over, because there are not many views in the whole wide world quite like it. Rudolph tends to slow down just a little right there, and I have learned not to rush him.
Third, is it true that in Denmark? My family was talking about it and I want to know if it is real.
It certainly is true. In denmark, families dance around the christmas tree singing carols together on christmas eve before any presents are opened. I think that is a wonderful thing for a family to talk about, because customs like that are exactly what make Denmark feel like Denmark, and they are precisely the sort of thing that keeps a community close together, especially in the winter months.
Thank you for your letter and your good questions, Mathilde. Keep noticing the world around you, keep asking honest questions, and keep being kind to the people in Odense. That is the whole spirit of Christmas right there. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Mathilde
Odense, Denmark
P.S. Does Julemanden ever visit Odense too, or is that only your job?
We split the map fairly evenly, and Julemanden handles that part of the world beautifully. Consider it a very old and very friendly arrangement.
