In this Christmas special of This One Day, host Nathalie Brewer reflects on the idea of “the life we were meant to live,” turning instead toward the one life that is actually here, pulsing through each moment. She shares the story of her latest diagnosis—a dormant tumor in her skull—and how it has become both her teacher and her mirror, waking her daily to the thin veil between life and death.

From there, the episode meanders beautifully into reflections on childhood wonder, belief, and the loss of innocence. Through the metaphor of Santa Claus, Nathalie explores how children naturally believe in something benevolent and unseen—and how adults might rediscover that same presence, not as fantasy, but as life force itself. She speaks about guiding her daughter through learning the “truth” about Santa by revealing a deeper truth: that giving, kindness, and connection are the real magic alive in every human heart.