Life — December 7, 1916 — page 45: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical illustration titled "Christmas Life" depicting a child kneeling in prayer at a fireplace on Christmas Eve. The child is shown in silhouette, praying toward the chimney where Santa's wreath and supplies are visible above. The humor lies in the caption: "PLEASE, O SANTA CLAUS, DON'T FORGET THE ROLLER SKATES, AMEN." The joke combines religious reverence (the child literally praying as if to a deity) with secular materialism—roller skates represent the era's popular toys. The satire critiques how Christmas had become commercialized and consumer-focused, with children's desires for toys elevated to the level of religious devotion. The "amen" further emphasizes the mock-religious tone, suggesting Americans treated Santa Claus and holiday gift-giving with quasi-religious fervor rather than spiritual meaning.