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Purists often denounced these supposed pagan elements in Christmas celebrations as “unholy pomp and joy.” Polydor Virgil stated that “the dance, masks, plays, and other similar Christmas disorders now used with Christians, derived from these Roman Saturnalia and Bacchanalia festivals; which should make all godly Christians eternally abominate them. “
In the 17th century, American Puritans in Massachusetts tried to ban Christmas entirely because of its outspoken paganism, Claudia de Lys says, but they obviously failed. Most Western cake makers would shut down if the Puritans who banned Christmas cakes and puddings in 1664 for being self-indulgent had succeeded, but King George I reintroduced them and they became even more sinfully sweet.
When did Santa Claus come in and who was he? Legends say that he was an extremely generous bishop of 4th century Christian Turkey named Nicholas. He used to secretly give gifts to people who needed help but didn’t ask for it. There is an interesting story about how this Saint Nicholas climbed up the chimney of a very poor man’s house and dropped some gold coins, which fell into the stockings that were hanging by the fireplace to dry.
The harassed man was overjoyed and was able to marry off his daughters, but the stockings are still hung by children who write endearing letters to Santa. Poems, songs and stories by this generous saint told of how he flew in his reindeer sleigh from the North Pole to deliver Christmas gifts to countless children. Parents fill these stockings with toys and treats when their children sleep on Christmas Eve, and one of the greatest joys during this season is sharing the excitement and excitement of innocent children, rushing to the next morning to see and show to others what it is. Santa has gone for them. When navigation improved in the 16th and 17th centuries, sailors took their stories to different parts of the world, where they soon called it ‘Santa Claus’.
Later, Dutch settlers imported this legend to America and their ‘Sinter-klaas’ became ‘Santa Claus’. The colorful advertisements placed by the giant toy industry only strengthened this interesting story. Throughout the 19th century, Americans envisioned Santa wearing ‘Stars and Stripes’ until 1881, when Harper’s Weekly published the now-famous image of Santa, with a large white beard in a red dress, a perky belly and an arm full of toys.
Trade and religion have often thrived on each other around the world, and in 1931, Coca Cola unveiled its gigantic bright red ‘Coke Santa’, the pattern of which adorns shopping malls even today. The song “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” became a hit in 1949 as did songs like “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells”.
In this way, Christmas moved from Bethlehem to Rome and the whole world, while Santa Claus traveled from Turkey to the North Pole. Now he roams freely, without a passport or visa, spreading happiness and joy.
