Tag: santa claus

“You need to believe in things that aren’t true. How else can they become?”

From: Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Death

The story behind the quote: The quote from the television adaption of Terry Pratchett‘s Hogfather book. Set in the Discworld universe, the book/TV miniseries is all about the mysterious disappearance of The Hogfather, which is the Discworld’s equivalent of Santa Claus/Father Christmas. The story can be broken up into two parts. The first follows Death as he tries to take over the role of The Hogfather while he’s missing. The second has Death’s granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit, who Death has assigned to finding The Hogfather as The Hogfather is also linked to the sun rising each day.

The quote comes from the very end of the series. Susan Sto Helit has managed to find and revive The Hogfather and The Hogfather resumes his duties. She then talks to Death about what would’ve happened to the sun and Death replies that, instead of sun, a ball of gas and heat would’ve taken its place. Susan then clarifies then if it was just all a fantasy about the sun not rising. Death replies that people need fantasy as things like justice, mercy and duty do not really exist as the universe is essentially not just, merciful and orderly. Susan retorts that people need to believe in those things. This is when Death delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: People can will things into existence in the metaphorical sense. If we want things to happen, we have to make it happen. If we really want the world to live in peace, despite history telling us it’s impossible, we have to first believe it’s possible and strive to make it work. That’s the only way things that seem impossible can become the possible.

“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind.”

From: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Santa Claus

The story behind the quote: As this is the holiday season, this week’s quote comes from the seminal Christmas film, Miracle on 34th Street, specifically, the original one that was released on 1947. The film is about a department store Santa who believes he is the real Santa Claus/Kris Kringle. Believe it or not, this film was actually released in June of that year and not during the holiday season.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Believing that Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Glenn) is delusional for thinking, Macy’s event director Doris Walker (played by Maureen O’Hara) calls him to her office to inform him that Mr. Kringle will be taking a psychological exam. Before she is able to tell Mr. Kringle, he states that he relishes being a department store Santa because it’s his chance to remind people about the true meaning of Christmas. Doris states that the holidays are still the same despite people wanting more stuff during the season. This is when Santa Claus delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom:  Most people have forgotten that Christmas isn’t just a time, it’s actually a feeling. The feeling of spreading good cheer towards your fellow man. It’s also sad that we tend to only “feel” the Christmas spirit, the spirit of giving, during the holidays. It would be so much better if we remember this feeling, not only during this time period, but throughout the year as well.