Long ago, during the eighth and ninth centuries in Britain and Ireland, people observed the time of year that is today know as the Christmas season. Back then however, there was nothing fun or pleasant about that time. These Celts believed that with the shortened span of daylight during winter months, the sun was dying away. Since they believed that malevolent spirits haunted the darkness, it was feared that the demons would sicken or kill anyone who was wicked or sinful. Thus, at this time of year everyone suddenly became kind and generous to the needy and gift giving was widespread. The Celts hoped that their gods were seeing their generosity and would spare their lives.
Unsurprisingly therefore, when, in the ninth and tenth centuries, missionaries arrived in the area, they found it nearly impossible to make people rethink the fearful perspective they had on Yule. So, instead of completely banishing the idea, the missionaries decided to alter the existing generosity of the season to reflect a celebration of the birthday of an old saint named Nicholas.
Old Saint Nicholas lived in Myra in the fourth century and was known to be very generous and jolly. Since his birthday was December 6, in the heart of the Yule season, he was therefore qualified for the role. Gradually, the people began to accept this as the reason for Yuletide generosity.
As the decades passed, the prospect of the holiday season became more cheery. Eventually December 6 became a holiday synonymous with public revelry, feasting and drunkenness en mass. During this season of frenzied festivities any and all crimes were not only expected but were accepted and overlooked as part of the fun. It was a time when you could literally get away with murder.
Later, a modern form of the old Saint was introduced to revive the spirituality of the holiday. He was Sinterklaas, the Scandinavian predecessor to today's American Santa Claus. He wore a white priest's robe with a long red cape and had a bishop's hat. He carried a book containing the names of all the children, good or bad, and crook with strange designs worked into the hook. His assistant, Black Pete, the predecessor of the American elves, was said to be and enslaved demon that Sinterklaas captured on a visit to the underworld. Parents used the scary duo to frighten their children into good behavior. Children were told all the good children would receive candy from him. However, if they were naughty, Black Pete would give them a thorough switching before stuffing them into his sack and carrying them off to the underworld.
In the late 16th century, a massive wave of immigrants from Holland and the Netherlands brought the idea of Sinterklaas to America. At this time the Feast of Sinterklaas was still observed on December 6th. The old ideas of Black Pete faded as Sinterklaas became a friendlier character. Now he was said to deliver sweets to the good children but to the naughty a long switch for the parents' use. In 1821, a poem in the "Children's Friend" changed the way this mythological character was seen. In the poem was introduced a didactic old man who rode a sleigh and dropped presents through chimneys.
In 1823 Clement C Moore wrote a poem that shaped the image of Santa Claus today. His poem, popularly known as "The Night Before Christmas", stated that:
"He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,"
and: "He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf"
and: "the beard of his chin was as white as the snow."
The descriptions in this poem have been used in depictions of Claus worldwide ever since.
Today, Santa Claus is the most associated fictional character with the Christmas season. This character, who evolved from a blend of Christianity, Paganism, and Catholicism, is an integral part of Christmas for children the world over. The next time you see a mall Santa, think about how this character began as fierce ancient god.
| So that's that. Webiny Lumshway. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Webiny_Lumshway | |
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