The tradition of the Jolly Old Elf was one that I was very happy and eager to pick up with my own children. Telling the tales of Christmas origins, such as the first Christmas tree, are stories my kids still enjoy hearing, even though my two oldest are in and approaching their teen years. It warms my heart to hear them listen attentively to Christmas stories, and makes my heart feel like bursting with joy when I hear them turn around and re-tell those stories to their toddler brother. They have the Christmas Spirit.
And as much as these things make my heart happy, it saddens me to know that so many children don't have the Christmas Spirit. To them, Christmas is merely a time of year to get things they want. My husband and I were talking about this just a few days ago and I told him that I felt very strongly that the "Me" generation was killing Santa Claus. They are not teaching their children about Santa Claus because it's easier not to. The parents get to lavish their children with gifts galore, and take all the credit for it themselves. This can be doubly seen in a society where marriages are just as likely to fail as they are to succeed and parents resort to trying to buy their place as the child's favorite parent. These kids don't know Santa, and their parents are not teaching them one of the most important lessons of all humanity.
Santa's History
Santa Claus goes by many names and faces. In Dutch and Belgium, where the legend of Santa began, he is referred to as "Sinterklass" and often called "De Goede Sint", or the Good Saint. Santa Claus also goes by the name of Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas. Each of these names are based on individuals who gave gifts to the people of their time, often gifts that made the difference between life and death for individuals. Saint Nicholas, for example, refers to the 4th century Greek Christian bishop Saint Nicholas of Myra. He gave gifts to the poor, including dowries presented to the three daughters of a poor but pious Christian so that his daughters would not be forced into prostitution.
Many people argue that they don't agree with Santa because they are not Christian and obviously Santa is a religious figure. Not entirely true. Santa existed before Christianity, though Christianity did change the face of Christmas when, after the Reformation in 16-17th century Europe, many protestants changed the gift bringer to be that of the Christ Child, or "Christkindl". With the change in name came a change in the date that gifts were exchanged from early December to Christmas eve. For Christians, Santa and Christmas go hand in hand - the gift giver and the ultimate gift. However, Santa doesn't have to be just for Christians. Anybody can experience the wonder and joy of Santa.
The most important lesson of all.....who Santa really is
This is the part that I wish people would pay attention to....the part that every child understands without being told, and that every adult forgets in the hustle and bustle of life. Santa exists, and he does so in each and every single one of us. Santa is the embodiment of the Holy Ghost manifest in each of us. Whether you are giving your money to the poor, sharing a meal with the hungry, or simply giving your love and prayers to someone in need, the Spirit of Christ is there, represented through our sacrifice. Santa is our way of reminding others that we all have received an awesome gift, while at the same time giving thanks to God for the gift of His Son.
Santa exists, as the physical representation of all that is good in our hearts, in our souls, and in our world. When an individual reaches out to someone in need, with no thought of compensation, that is Santa in action. When a person is moved to tears, and to pray, for someone in pain or in need, that is Santa in action. Santa lives, as long as there is compassion and kindness in our hearts.
So to all of you this holiday season, I pray that you will be blessed with peace, love, and happiness in the coming year, and that each of you finds the Santa within your own hearts and that you share his Spirit with those around you.
