Father Christmas- A true icon
Father Christmas also known as Santa Claus is the heart and soul of Christmas celebration. An old jolly man with white hair, a beard and a moustache, dressed in a red suit, bearing gifts. Prior to 1880 Santa was not dressed in red he evolved into the image we know today after being introduction by Coca Cola during the 1930s. He has become the human face of Christmas all around the world.
The Story of Father Christmas: Father Christmas was originally part of an old English midwinter festival, normally dressed in green, a sign of the returning spring. He was known as 'Sir Christmas', 'Old Father Christmas' or Old Winter'. In this earliest form, Father Christmas was not the bringer of gifts for small children, nor did he come down the chimney. He simply wandered around from home to home, knocking on doors and feasting with families before moving on to the next house.
Who is Father Christmas: Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which explains his other name 'Santa Claus' which comes from the Dutch 'Sinterklaas'. St. Nicholas was a very shy man and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD.
How Santa came into existence: Saint Nicholas ("Santa") is the third most beloved religious figure after Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Legend tells that there were once three, young unwed daughters of an impoverished nobleman who lived in a small town on the coast of Turkey. The family had fallen upon hard times and was obliged to live in a peasant's cottage, fending for themselves without the benefit of servants to undertake the household chores. The girls had attracted suitors, but were unable to marry because their father could not afford to provide them with the necessary dowries. Hearing of this unfortunate situation, Saint Nicholas took it upon himself to rectify the matter.
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However, being a modest and pious man, he determined to do so secretly in order that nobody would know who the generous benefactor might be. One evening, after the daughters had washed their clothing, they hung their stockings by the fireplace to dry. That night, aware of the father's despair regarding the plight of his poor daughters, Saint Nicholas stopped by the former nobleman's house. Climbing upon the roof, he tossed a bag of gold coins down the chimney, where it landed inside the stocking of the oldest daughter. The next morning, the girl was overjoyed at the sudden appearance of the money and immediately rushed to her sweetheart to inform him of the good news. |
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The following night, Saint Nicholas repeated his good deed and thus, the second daughter obtained the means by which to marry. Thus Saint Nicholas became renowned for his charitable actions. From that time forward, whenever anyone received an unexpected gift, they thanked Saint Nicholas.
No one knows how St. Nicholas' traditional white horse became a sledge and pack of reindeer, nine in fact. Do you know all their names? There is Rudolf, Comet, Donner, Blitzen, Cupid, Vixen Dancer, Prancer and Dasher!
Most children receive their presents on Christmas Eve night or early Christmas morning, but in some countries they get their presents on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. So what ever you do, have fun this Christmas and I hope Santa brings lots of happiness and love in your life. Merry Christmas!
(Sources: woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk, soon.org.uk, novareinna.com, whychristmas.com)
