Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus - 3rd Day of Christmas

From a 1897 New York Sun editorial by Francis P. Church. (Mr. Church is responding to eight-year old Virginia O’ Hanlon’s letter to the editor, asking if there was a Santa Claus. )

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.