Yes, Virginia, there is a ...

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
 Francis Pharcellus Church

Quotes from the same author

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.
 Francis Pharcellus Church
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
 Francis Pharcellus Church
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.
 Francis Pharcellus Church
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!
 Francis Pharcellus Church