Suggestive programs for special day exercises/Christmas/Santa Claus Myths

by Jason Elmer Hammond

SANTA CLAUS MYTHS.

From Department of Public Instruction.

The Christmas messenger, so dear to the hearts of all children, takes different names and assumes varied forms in different countries.

Our own name, "Santa Claus," comes from St. Nicholas, the name dear to Hollanders; and in place of our stockings hung by the chimney, the Dutch children leave two little wooden shoes by the fireplace, firmly believing that the good old St. Nicholas will fill them with gifts.

In Russia, St. Nicholas is sometimes called "Father Christmas," and it is probable that the Santa Claus myth really originated in that country from the practice of a good old nobleman who, long, long ago, went about once a year distributing clothing, food, and toys to all the poor children he could find.

The Norwegian Santa is known as "Kristine," and the children leave candles burning in the windows to give her light.

In Belgium, on Christmas eve, the children put their wooden sabots, or shoes, on the window ledge, stuffing them full of oats and hay for the "Santa Claus pony;" in the early morning, when they run on tiptoe to look, finding the fodder all gone and the shoes brimming over with toys and sweetmeats, they clap their hands gleefully and think what fun it would be to wake in time to catch the pony munching his breakfast.

The French children generally believe that, while they sleep, the Christ-child comes down from the sky, accompanied by a band of angels bringing books and playthings. These gifts they find in the morning placed on both ends of the Christmas log. But in Alsace, the dispenser of Christmas gifts is supposed to be a lady robed in white, who has long yellow hair and a golden crown ornamented with tiny candles. She carries a basket of presents in one hand; a bell in the other; and a mysterious attendant, called Hans Trapp (of whom all children are afraid), always rides with her on the same donkey. It is customary for the children to place a bunch of hay behind the door for the donkey, and beside it a glass of wine for the "white lady" and Hans Trapp.

And so it is that all the world round happy children open their bright eyes very early each Christmas morning, their hearts filled with expectation of what the Christmas messenger has brought them.