ASNER SAYS PEOPLE NEED STRENGTH THAT COMES FROM BELIEF

Ed Asner thinks more is better when it comes to upbeat holiday fables on film and television.

"Every day should be Christmas, and we should find some way in terms of giving and talking about peace on Earth," Asner said.His latest Christmas story, "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," was shown Sunday night on ABC.

Asner portrayed a newspaper publisher who assigns Frank P. Church the task of replying to 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon's letter asking about Santa Claus. Church's reply is part of Christmas lore.

"I think the message lies within the letter that Frank writes: It's necessary to believe, even when there's nothing to believe in, for the strength that belief gives us," Asner said.