Author Explains The Mystery Of Santa In 'The Christmas Chronicles'

(From Tim Slover's “The Christmas Chronicles.”)

This is the time of year when kids start asking questions like, “How does Santa travel the world in one night?” Or, “Can reindeer really fly?” And “does Rudolph’s red, shiny nose lead Santa’s sleigh?”

Professor Tim Slover set out to answer those questions while his children were growing up, and he’s turned those stories into a radio drama and book called, “The Christmas Chronicles.” We revisit our conversation with Tim Slover from last year, when they first aired on KBYU public radio in Provo, Utah. Slover is associate professor in the Department of Theater at the University of Utah.

Classic 89: Listen to “The Christmas Chronicles” online
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Stations airing “The Christmas Chronicles”

KOTZ Kotzebue, Alaska
KTXK Public Radio Texarkana, Texas
WRVO Oswego, NY
WXXI-FM Rochester, NY
WBKE North Manchester, IN
WNIN Evansville, IN
KUSU Logan, UT
KBYU Provo/Salt Lake City, UT

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

Hilary Anthony

Wow. Can we just let Santa be a fun secret we share with children, rather than going through all sorts of contortions with fake science and fake dahli lama powers to “explain” Santa?
Michael Wade

I disagree respectfully, Hilary. I think that backing up tales of wonder with science and a bit of history only adds to the sensational joy of the season. It gives the story power and tangibility. It gives the tale a foundation to stand on while still giving plenty of room for children to imagine and wonder. Also, I can only deduce that Professor Slover’s children have benefited in so many ways from his precision of the tale where other children have not. I applaud the effort to give the old tale some backing. Merry Christmas!
Julie Wheeler

I just listened to the program and raced home to find out more. I have a 5-year-old and I can’t wait to share Tim’s stories with her. I’m clicking over to order the book now!
Diana Jarka

How strange that we “make up” science to ensure children will believe a silly story from the 1800′s is true, when the real story of the birth of the Christchild is so full of wonder and hope and delight that it cannot be surpassed. It isn’t even invested with greed to accumulate “stuff;” it is only the record of an amazing gift that came without strings attached.