Vicar Tells Schoolful of Children That Santa Isn't Real

No-one likes to receive bad news, especially when it concerns the existence, or otherwise, of Father Christmas - something that, to this day, we still do really want to be true, despite an admittedly enormous amount of evidence to the contrary.

But a vicar in the Wiltshire market town of Chippenham managed to inadvertently break the bad news to a whole group of children, after an address to primary school pupils explained how Santa was based on the legend of Saint Nicholas, rather than being a real person.

Canon Simon Tatton-Brown apparently mislaid his notes before making the speech, and he later apologised to the school.

However, some parents were angry and gave some, frankly, hilarious quotes to The Guardian about the incident.

Linzi Merritt, stated: "We wouldn't just walk into the church during one of his services and tell everyone there that Jesus isn't real...It's the older children who have suffered the most because their parents can't really talk their way out of it like the parents of younger children can. Loads of kids went home crying – it has ruined Christmas for them...Not only has he spoiled Father Christmas for them, a lot of them are now questioning the existence of the tooth fairy as well."

Kerry Butler, also commented: "All the parents here are very upset. I think it's a lot worse for the older children because a lot of them are on the cusp of not believing anymore and this could have pushed them over the edge."

Some parents have threatened to withdraw their children from the upcoming carol service at Tatton-Brown's church in retaliation, though the school has said that links will remain unaffected.

Don't stop believin' kids.

[via Guardian]