Christmas Symbols

Santa Claus, Elves, and Reindeer

History

• fat, jolly, red suit trimmed in white fur, usually carrying a sack of toys; sleigh flies through the air, pulled by eight reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen. Visits on Christmas Eve after everyone has gone to bed and leaves gifts under the christmas tree and in the stockings for good children. Enters the house through the chimney.
• European roots; Saint Nicholas - Saint Nicholas was said to have saved sailors from a storm, was a defender of children, and often gave generous gifts to the poor. He became known as the traditional giver of gifts throughout Europe.
• He was called Sankt Nikolaus in Germany, Sanct Herr Nicholass or Sinter Klass in Holland. He was said to ride through the sky on a horse and was often accompanied by Black Peter, who would whip naughty children.
• The feast day of Nicholas is traditionally observed on December 6. Eventually, the two holidays were combined. Later German Protestants encouraged recognizing the Christkindl (Christ child) as the giver of gifts. Christkindl evolved into Kris Kringle, yet another name for Santa Claus. Santa Claus goes by other names in other lands, such as Père Noël in France, Julenisse in Scandinavia, and Father Christmas in England.
• The American Santa Claus developed out of the Dutch legend of Sinter Klass in the 17th and 18th century. Washington Irving, in 1809 wrote about the arrival of St Nicholas on horseback The more recent changes in Santa, from the way he looks, to the names of his reindeer, were largely brought about in 1823 by the book A Visit from Saint Nicholas, more commonly recognized as The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.
  
• Then, in the 1860's, he was refined yet again by the cartoonist Thomas Nast, who called him Santa Claus.
• Elves most likely came from the scandinavian countries; Elves (gnomes) were already a tradition, and they could be either helpful or mean-spirited, depending on whether the person was naughty or nice; in mid-1800's Scandinavian writers 'revealed' their true purpose was as helpers to Father Christmas.

Modern Christian Symbolism

• Read Why Jesus is Better than Santa Claus

Bible Verse

• Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. (John 13:16)

• Make a book using Why Jesus is Better than Santa Claus and have the children illustrate it.

Advent Calendar

• Santa Claus

Music

• Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
• (If you prefer, there are songs about Santa Claus such as Up On the Housetop)

Resources

• The History of Santa Claus
• Santa Claus (Encarta Encyclopedia)
• Christmas Elves
• Santa's Prayer

WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS

Santa lives at the North Pole. JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh. JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year. JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies. JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited. JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart.
You have to wait in line to see Santa. JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap. JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl,what's your name?". JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly. JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO. JESUS offers health, help and hope.
While Santa says "You better not cry". JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."
Santa's little helpers make toys. JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree. JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

Its obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better,
He is even better than Santa Claus.
-Author Unknown

	Family Celebrations for Christmas by Ann Hibbard Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights : The Story of the Christmas Symbols by Edna Barth Keeping Christ in Christmas by Steve Russo Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman