|
History of the Gift Giver:
There are many legends that have grown up around the Santa Claus persona. Many countries either have their own legend or have adopted other countries legends into their own mythos. Father Christmas is the principle gift giver for much of southern and western Europe. He is considered the embodiment of the Christmas Feast which in its pagan form was the winter feast. He was usually spoken of as being old, because the feast that he represented was of ancient date. But today Father Christmas is usually synonymous with Santa Claus. For more ideas go to Decorations and Gifts Ideas.
Saint Nicholas was an early Christian from an area that is today part of Turkey. He was made Bishop of Myra at a relatively young age and was known for his good works and charity. He is said to have died from old age, which is quiet the feat at a time when many Christian leaders were killed because of their faith. Nicholas was born in 270 A.D. and died in 343 A.D. Eventually he became the saint for many groups of people, such as children, sailors, pawnbrokers, and many cities claim him as a patron saint. Being a Bishop he wore the red robes of a Bishop with the white collar, which seems to have been somewhat of the basics for the current red and white outfit similar to the Red Plush Santa Suit that Santa Claus wears today.
Christkind which means Christ Child in Germany, is pronounced kristkint. This also appears to be where the name Kris Kringle comes from, a misspelling and mispronunciation of Christkind. Martin Luther in an attempt to discourage people from using Saint Nicholas as the gift giver at Christmas time encouraged the use of the Christ Child as a reference to the baby Jesus. The idea seems to have been born of the legend of a child bringing gifts to the infant Christ. So in returning the favor the Christ Child now brings gifts to children. The Christ Child is usually shown with blond hair as well as with angel wings. Ironically the use eventually became adopted by the Catholic church, even as it was slowly being replaced with Father Christmas. Click to see all our Christmas Decorations Ideas for the holiday season.
Santa Claus in the Modern World:
Santa today has become the advertising spokesman for Christmas! Even in countries where Christians make up like 3 percent of the population or less, Christmas is a huge event. In some of these countries it is even a national holiday, not just for spending time helping others and sharing but purely for the commercialization of it. Its time to remember the event that this holiday is all about. The wise men didn’t stop off at Walmart on their way to visit the infant Christ, nor did they endorse a Ford camel over a Chevy camel for the smoothest ride across the desert. They went to see the savior and redeemer of the world.
|
