'Tis the season
Santa's Nordic Heritage
When kids meet Santa Claus, magic happens. To younger kids he is a mythic figure of awesome power. Preschoolers' reactions can range from an almost religious reverence to sheer fright. Even older children who have become aware of inconsistencies between the myth and the reality, allow themselves to fall under Santa's spell. His magic is irresistible even to parents, who delight in the reactions of their children. But where does this jolly old elf come from? His legend, bound deep in the ancient history of Europe, has transcended cultural and religious barriers. The Santa Claus we know today is a blending of at least two mythic figures. The 4th century Christian bishop of Anatolia (now Turkey), known as Saint Nicholas, is arguably the most famous. Nicholas' generosity and love of children earned him cult like status among early Christians in eastern Europe. By the 7th century Nicholas was known far and wide. His cult spread north to what is now Russia, but was originally the Russ, a Nordic settlement founded there prior to the advent of Christianity. And in the west, as other Nordic tribes adopted the novel religion, Nicholas was introduced to the Franks, Normans, Saxons, Danes and others. A thousand years later it was the Dutch settlers in America who contributed "Sinter Klaas" (a contracted form of "Saint Nicholas") to the tradition. "Father Christmas" is another legendary figure who has added immensely to the myth of Santa. Coming down to us by way of the English, this gift-giving winter-elf most likely owes his origin to the "Yule-Father" of the Vikings and Danes who settled England over the course of the Viking Age. Much Santa symbolism can be traced back in the myths of the pagan Vikings, from his white beard to his association with crafty elves. Yule-tide, held at winter solstice, was the holiest of seasons for the pre-Christian Germanic, Teutonic and Nordic tribes. Generosity and hospitality were high virtues to the ancient Norse, who would gather for great Yule feasts lasting for days. Strange travelers were customarily welcomed over Yule-tide, perhaps because of the belief that the Yule-father Odin, chief among the gods, could possibly appear in such a disguise. Odin was said to lead the Wild Hunt through the winter skies, and no one shut outside would want to risk an encounter with his weird host. Yet folklore shows that Odin gave what was deserved, awarding goodness and punishing wickedness, like the later Santa. He might even have left a gift of food at an especially poor homestead. During the great Yule festivals, toasts would be made, oaths sworn, songs and stories heard. It was custom that the ranking chieftains or lords gave gifts and demonstrated their generosity to the folk in their employ, who might also offer gifts in turn. In the Old Icelandic poem Havamal, Odin implores "For a gift, give a gift", speaking to the importance of gift exchanges among the Nordic peoples. In the same poem, from the Poetic Edda, Odin offers "The road to a friend's is never long, though he live far from the road." Yule was a time for the large, extended kin-group to gather, and for travelers to be offered shelter. These generous holiday sentiments, and many others, have been traditional features of the Yule-tide spirit since ancient times, long before news of Nicholas reached the west. As was standard strategy during the Mediaeval period, Christian saints were pitted in a public relations competition against pagan gods and goddesses. It is not surprising that the Roman Church elevated the eastern bishop Nicholas to celebrity status. Even after the Reformation, when the cults of various saints were officially discouraged, Nicholas long remained popular among the now converted Germanic tribes. The growing popularity of Santa in the last two centuries is not being driven solely by corporations intent on market share. While the Coca Cola Company may lay claim to the commercial image of the Santa we know today, created as an advertising campaign over a hundred years ago, they cannot lay claim to his ancient spiritual heritage. As Father Yule might remind us, the real yule-tide spirit lay in the experience of communion with our loved ones, which is only signified by expressions of generosity. Gifting reinforces the reciprocal bonds which remind us of a greater spiritual truth, that of our interconnectedness and community.
When kids meet Santa Claus, magic happens. To younger kids he is a mythic figure of awesome power. Preschoolers' reactions can range from an almost religious reverence to sheer fright. Even older children who have become aware of inconsistencies between the myth and the reality, allow themselves to fall under Santa's spell. His magic is irresistible even to parents, who delight in the reactions of their children. But where does this jolly old elf come from? His legend, bound deep in the ancient history of Europe, has transcended cultural and religious barriers. The Santa Claus we know today is a blending of at least two mythic figures. The 4th century Christian bishop of Anatolia (now Turkey), known as Saint Nicholas, is arguably the most famous. Nicholas' generosity and love of children earned him cult like status among early Christians in eastern Europe. By the 7th century Nicholas was known far and wide. His cult spread north to what is now Russia, but was originally the Russ, a Nordic settlement founded there prior to the advent of Christianity. And in the west, as other Nordic tribes adopted the novel religion, Nicholas was introduced to the Franks, Normans, Saxons, Danes and others. A thousand years later it was the Dutch settlers in America who contributed "Sinter Klaas" (a contracted form of "Saint Nicholas") to the tradition. "Father Christmas" is another legendary figure who has added immensely to the myth of Santa. Coming down to us by way of the English, this gift-giving winter-elf most likely owes his origin to the "Yule-Father" of the Vikings and Danes who settled England over the course of the Viking Age. Much Santa symbolism can be traced back in the myths of the pagan Vikings, from his white beard to his association with crafty elves. Yule-tide, held at winter solstice, was the holiest of seasons for the pre-Christian Germanic, Teutonic and Nordic tribes. Generosity and hospitality were high virtues to the ancient Norse, who would gather for great Yule feasts lasting for days. Strange travelers were customarily welcomed over Yule-tide, perhaps because of the belief that the Yule-father Odin, chief among the gods, could possibly appear in such a disguise. Odin was said to lead the Wild Hunt through the winter skies, and no one shut outside would want to risk an encounter with his weird host. Yet folklore shows that Odin gave what was deserved, awarding goodness and punishing wickedness, like the later Santa. He might even have left a gift of food at an especially poor homestead. During the great Yule festivals, toasts would be made, oaths sworn, songs and stories heard. It was custom that the ranking chieftains or lords gave gifts and demonstrated their generosity to the folk in their employ, who might also offer gifts in turn. In the Old Icelandic poem Havamal, Odin implores "For a gift, give a gift", speaking to the importance of gift exchanges among the Nordic peoples. In the same poem, from the Poetic Edda, Odin offers "The road to a friend's is never long, though he live far from the road." Yule was a time for the large, extended kin-group to gather, and for travelers to be offered shelter. These generous holiday sentiments, and many others, have been traditional features of the Yule-tide spirit since ancient times, long before news of Nicholas reached the west. As was standard strategy during the Mediaeval period, Christian saints were pitted in a public relations competition against pagan gods and goddesses. It is not surprising that the Roman Church elevated the eastern bishop Nicholas to celebrity status. Even after the Reformation, when the cults of various saints were officially discouraged, Nicholas long remained popular among the now converted Germanic tribes. The growing popularity of Santa in the last two centuries is not being driven solely by corporations intent on market share. While the Coca Cola Company may lay claim to the commercial image of the Santa we know today, created as an advertising campaign over a hundred years ago, they cannot lay claim to his ancient spiritual heritage. As Father Yule might remind us, the real yule-tide spirit lay in the experience of communion with our loved ones, which is only signified by expressions of generosity. Gifting reinforces the reciprocal bonds which remind us of a greater spiritual truth, that of our interconnectedness and community.
posted by Bob Freeman at 2:40 PM
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