NOT even the financial hardship caused by the global economic meltdown can erase the legacy of Santa Claus, whose virtue of sharing, largely contributed to a pandemic of gift-giving and sharing, during the Christmas season
Also known as St. Nicholas, Santa Claus (or simply Santa), has made Christmas more meaningful, especially to children to whom he has been endeared.
There is a long list of versions as to how Santa came about. Wikipedia says Santa was born in Turkey in 270 AD, while another portal, Santa’s Net says he was born in the United States in 1860.
One Santa per Country
There are near similar figures elsewhere in the world. One is angel-like Kris Kringle (also known as Christkind) who was said to be delivering gifts to nice children in Switzerland and Germany.
Scandinavia also has jolly elf named Jultomten. He was said to be doing the same thing — delivering gifts to children via a sleigh that is being drawn not by reindeers but by goats.
English legend has it that Father Christmas hops from one home to another every Christmas Eve to check on the children’s wish, written a piece of paper and placed inside a stocking. Father Christmas was said to fill these stocking with presents and treats.
France won’t be left behind. They have Pere Noel, filling shoes (not socks) with treats and gifts.
Russia has elderly woman Babushka, who’s annual visit to the children every Christmas Eve is attributed to her way of making up for the sins she committed. One of those sins, according to legends, was when she gave the wrong direction to the Three Wise Men, in search of Bethlehem where Infant Jesus was born.
Italy boasts of a woman named La Befana, a rare breed of witch who makes use of her flying broomstick in delivering her presents every Christmas Eve.
Regardless of which version is factual, the truth remains — Santa Claus is an American icon, whose image and virtue went across borders and continents.
Generous Fat Man
In the United Stated, Santa is visualized as a fat man wearing a white beard and donning red suit. He gets all the credits from kids getting gifts they wished for in a letter they placed inside socks that were left hanging near the fireplace on eve before Christmas day.
On board a sleigh drawn by reindeers, Santa carries a big pouch where he draws his Christmas presents to American kids. The big belief fat man in red suit was also said to be sneaking into the chimney to get into the homes and leave behind his presents.
Multi-facet Yuletide in the US
Christmas celebrations in the United States today vary because of the growing number of migrants settling in the American soil.
Migrant settlers have brought in many Christmas traditions.
For one, Pennsylvania has maintained the tradition of building a landscape that they call as “putz”, placed under a Christmas tree. State-based Germans boasts of their own version of Santa. They call it Belsnickle.
Shooting firearms, fireworks in the neighborhood are how early European settlers welcome Christmas in the United States. There are actually even a lot more Christmas traditions in the US, but regardless as to where it originated, it is the spirit that counts. The Santa story is just a bonus. GP
Christmas Angel
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