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The Secret of the Santa Box by Christopher Fenoglio

WHO IS SANTA CLAUS? When children start asking tough questions about Santa Claus, the illustrated Christmas poem THE SECRET OF THE SANTA BOX helps parents tell their child the truth about Santa in a personal, faith-filled, and positive way. The whole family can read this book and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Parents: If it is time to tell your child the truth about Santa Claus in a positive way, this is the book for you!

Children the world over have been enchanted and captivated by the charismatic being known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, St. Nick, Sinterklaas, and Papá Noel. But eventually, they begin to ponder just how, with the help of flying reindeer, he can deliver presents to boys and girls all around the world in only one single night. And how does he fit down chimneys? And visit houses where there are no chimneys?

As the questions begin to multiply, THE SECRET OF THE SANTA BOX helps parents guide their child from an innocent belief in the fanciful realism of Santa Claus to an empowered understanding of charity, love, and goodwill, and the true meaning of the celebration of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ.

THE SECRET OF THE SANTA BOX by Christopher Fenoglio and illustrated by Elena Makansi, is a delightful poem written in the same lyrical style as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. This colorful book helps parents navigate the difficult terrain of moving from Santa Claus to the Manger in a loving and empowering way. It is a natural transition for children who have outgrown the “Elf on a Shelf” and are ready to move forward to the real meaning of Christmas.

32 pages, 10 x 8 inches

Item #PT14119

Price: $16.95

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Parents: If it is time to tell your child the truth about Santa Claus in a positive way, this is the book for you!

Children the world over have been enchanted and captivated by the charismatic being known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, St. Nick, Sinterklaas, and Pap� Noel. But eventually, they begin to ponder just how, with the help of flying reindeer, he can deliver presents to boys and girls all around the world in only one single night. And how does he fit down chimneys? And visit houses where there are no chimneys?

THE SECRET OF THE SANTA BOX by Christopher Fenoglio and illustrated by Elena Makansi, is a delightful poem written in the same lyrical style as �Twas the Night Before Christmas. This colorful book helps parents navigate the difficult terrain of moving from Santa Claus to the Manger in a loving and empowering way. It is a natural transition for children who have outgrown the �Elf on a Shelf� and are ready to move forward to the real meaning of Christmas.

32 pages, 10 x 8 inches

About the Author:

Image result for christopher fenoglio

Christopher Fenoglio writes about movies, music, sports, and other popular culture that inspire one�s daily faith journey.

His recent book THE SECRET OF THE SANTA BOX helps parents inspire their children from a magical belief in Santa Claus to an inspired understanding of the true meaning of Christ. This beautifully illustrated Christmas poem is based upon the actual method he and his wife Linda used when talking to their three children about Santa Claus.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Fenoglio has served in numerous editorial, production and marketing positions in the Christian publishing industry for more than 30 years.

For six years he wrote the �Reel Life Journeys� columns for The Tennessee Register, the newspaper of the Diocese of Nashville. These columns explored the inspirational and spiritual themes found in films, faith and family. His columns were honored numerous times by the Catholic Press Association, including First Place designations for Best Regular Column for Culture, the Arts and Leisure in 2009 and 2010.

In addition to The Tennessee Register, Fenoglio served on the website, marketing, and editorial staffs for CCM Magazine and The CCM Update. For three years he was the editor and publisher of New Catholic Books & Media.

In the late 1980s, Fenoglio and friend Mary Corby recorded three cassette albums of Christian hymns: �Ave Maria and Other Songs of Devotion,� �O Sanctissima and Other Hymns of Praise,� and �Emanuel � The Music of Christmas.� In 2004, Fenoglio digitally remastered the Christmas album and re-released it on CD.

A former baritone in the Notre Dame Glee Club, Fenoglio currently serves as a cantor and music minister at St. Henry Church in Nashville. He enjoys singing the National Anthem at all kinds of events, especially at games and sporting events.

�When I sing the National Anthem in front of a large audience at a sporting event, I love to invite everyone to sing along with me. This is our nation�s song and it should be sung together. It�s not a song to ignore or cheer during or to use as an audition for a recording contract. No, it�s a song that speaks of our country�s strength and endurance in the face of bombardments and attacks. It�s a song that unites us and it should be sung together, loud and proud!� � Christopher Fenoglio

Fenoglio has sung the National Anthem at all of the current ballparks affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, as well as for the Vanderbilt Commodores, Nashville Predators, and the Tennessee Volunteers.

Summary of The Secret of the Santa Box

Every year, young children around the world await the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. In the same house are parents who wonder if this is the year their child begins to question the magical nature of Santa Claus.

Like a sleigh pulled by reindeer that power its flight
And that Santa Claus visits each house in one night
Where he fills all the stockings of good girls and boys
With delicious confections and marvelous toys.

There are numerous names for this jolly old elf:
Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, Santa himself.
But the truth about Santa is more than his name;
There’s an actual person who’s rarely the same.

The main character in our story is Kristin, who is a very inquisitive girl.

When her mother bakes cookies that sweeten the air
Helpful Kristin spreads frosting on cupcakes with care.
She’s a curious girl and determined to learn
All she can about Santa before his return.

“Can you tell me why he dresses only in red?
Does he know to watch out for the planes overhead?
Will he eat all the cookies we put on his plate?
Does he care for his health? Is he watching his weight?

“Do his reindeer get tired? Do they ever get rest?
Should we feed them some apples? Are carrots the best?
I just don’t understand how he builds all the toys
And delivers them here without making a noise!”

Kristin’s parents realize that their daughter is growing up and is questioning many of her own beliefs about Santa Claus and Christmas.

After dinner and dishes they walk by the stores
To see bright decorations and wreaths on the doors.
All the lampposts are covered with ribbons and bows
While the courthouse and theater glisten and glow.

As they walk hand in hand with their daughter between
They arrive at a church and Nativity scene.
In the stable, the parents and shepherds bow low
To the babe in the manger with the glowing halo.

Just outside of the manger, three kings from afar
Offer frankincense, gold, and sweet myrrh in a jar.
Overhead there’s a star that’s so shiny and bright
And an angel who heralds the birth of the Light.

When the family returns home, Kristin’s parents decide that the time is right. They bring her into their bedroom, where she sits on the edge of their bed.

With a wink, Father takes from the uppermost shelf
An engraved wooden box that he made by himself.
He declares to his daughter, “It’s time that we tell
You the truth about Santa and Christmas as well.”

What is in the Santa Box? You will just have to read the entire poem yourself. Suffice it to say, with a simple method and a faith-filled message, Kristin’s parents succeed in empowering their daughter with the love and giving spirit of that first Christmas.

So the next time you question if Santa is real,
Place your hand on your heart and describe what you feel.
For within you, dear children, even as you grow old
Is a love that’s more precious than silver and gold.

THE END