Happy Christmas to my European friends
And Merry Christmas also for the rest of you tomorrow. That is, of course, if you celebrate Christmas, in which case, Happy Holidays. But not all of you will be on holiday at the moment because not everyone celebrates Christmas or anything around this time of year.
If you do do Christmas, do you also do Santa? Do you even call him that? Here in the UK, this mythical figure has always been called Father Christmas. He was the personification of Christmas (originally referred to as just “Christmas” or “Sir Christemas”) He was generally depicted as a jolly old man who brought joy and cheer at Christmas time.
Most of the rest of Europe have different traditions. Some do the Christkind (Christ Child), which from what I gather isn’t so much the baby Jesus but a kind of spirit that brings presents on Christmas Eve.
Then there is St. Nick also known as Sinta Klaus, which is where Santa Claus developed from. The reindeer, sleigh, the red outfit happened over time.
This video goes into much more information – it is fascinating!
Of course the real meaning of Christmas – the incarnation and birth of Jesus Christ can and does get lost in all of this.
So, what will you be doing this Christmas?
Merry Christmas!
#Christmas
