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The origins of Father Christmas start with the legend of Saint Nicholas in the third century who was known for his generosity and kindness. He was a Greek, living in the Roman Empire and his birthplace, Patara, is now part of Turkey.
As Santa’s legend continued to spread, the imagination of generations of artists and writers added to the story. Over time, stories about Saint Nicholas were passed down through generations. His lifelong charity was often celebrated by gift giving on the anniversary of his death on 6 December. The book called “The Untold Story of Father Christmas” has been written by the husband and wife team who created the Lapland UK experience in the Crown Estate Forest near Ascot in Surrey in 2007.
And then Father Christmas met Santa Claus …
The family behind the wonderful Christmas attraction Lapland UK have weaved their magic once again in a new book for children. And it feels somehow as timeless as its subject. The German Christmas tree, popularised by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, became a permanent fixture in British homes, while the act of gift-giving shifted from New Year to Christmas. As Christmas became more focused on family and children during the Victorian era, a new kind of Father Christmas emerged. This version was less about drinking, feasting, and making merriment and more about giving gifts to children. During the English Civil War, criticism of Christmas by Puritans increased, this led to Parliament banning Christmas altogether in 1647. Shown with a fur-trimmed, old-fashioned gown and a white beard
Father Christmas, in The Untold Story of Father Christmas, is actually just a toy maker who is very good at his job. He creates loads of toys to sell in villages, for all of the children who’s parents can afford them. He has a lovely wife called Mary who helps him create his toys, however, they both are saddened when they are unable to have a child of their own. This sadness is doubled during the winter months, when the children of their village who are unable to afford new toys are not gifted with any for Christmas. Later, in Tudor and Stuart times, the ‘Lord of Misrule’ oversaw Christmas festivities in aristocratic homes. Other names included ‘Prince Christmas’, ‘The Christmas Lord’ and ‘Captain Christmas’. In none of these depictions was he an old man with a white beard. Rudolph, “the most famous reindeer of all,” was born over 100 years after his eight flying counterparts. The red-nosed wonder was the creation of Robert L. May, a copywriter at the Montgomery Ward department store.This is a great video from The Postal Museum which explains how the tradition of writing to Santa – and expecting a reply – came about. In York, another possible precursor to Father Christmas was celebrated in a festival called the ‘Yule Ridings.’ It took place on December 21st and featured a man disguised as Yule – usually a man-sized goat – carrying meat and cake through the streets and throwing nuts into the crowd. However, in 1572, the event was banned due to complaints of ‘very rude and barbarous’ behaviour. Here’s another great YouTube video this time from Mythology with Mike, that tries to unravel the link between St Nicholas, Sinterklaas and Santa. There is even a reference to Odin who some say is the real source of the Santa tradition. Moore’s poem, which he was initially hesitant to publish due to the frivolous nature of its subject, is largely responsible for our modern image of Santa Claus as a “right jolly old elf” with a portly figure and the supernatural ability to ascend a chimney with a mere nod of his head! Although some of Moore’s imagery was probably borrowed from other sources, his poem helped popularize the now-familiar image of a Santa Claus who flew from house to house on Christmas Eve in “a miniature sleigh” led by eight flying reindeer to leave presents for deserving children. “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” created a new and immediately popular American icon. oooOooo The Untold Story of Father Christmas How a toymaker became a father to children around the world?
Nevertheless, the festive season continues to celebrate family, generosity, and love – with the added bonus of a cheerful old man in a red suit who brings happiness to children everywhere. Is Father Christmas real? In 1939, May wrote a Christmas-themed story-poem to help bring holiday traffic into his store. Using a similar rhyme pattern to Moore’s “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” May told the story of Rudolph, a young reindeer who was teased by the other deer because of his large, glowing, red nose. But, When Christmas Eve turned foggy and Santa worried that he wouldn’t be able to deliver gifts that night, the former outcast saved Christmas by leading the sleigh by the light of his red nose. Rudolph’s message—that given the opportunity, a liability can be turned into an asset—proved popular. Fast forward to 1809, when Washington Irving wrote that Dutch families in New York were still telling tales of Sinterklaas on St Nicholas’s Day. He then enjoyed another mini renaissance in the first half of the 19th century, when he appeared in some popular illustrations which showed him to be a winter sprite wearing a holly garland on his head and gorging on lots of drink and food. Mills' book illustrations are included in the collections of Keene State University, University of Connecticut at Storrs, and the Mazza Collection, Finlay, Ohio.Through the Victorians’ reinvention of Christmas, Father Christmas has maintained his place as a popular figure, albeit one that is now interchangeable with Santa Claus.
You might like to know what the last posting day is for children in the UK who want to write to Father Christmas. The Royal Mail can help! St Nicholas’s reputation spread after 1087 when his relics were moved to Italy. Over time, the stories about generously providing gold to those in need led to the tradition of leaving gifts on the evening before St Nicholas’s Day, the 6th of December. This is also when Sinterklaas entertainers would don red bishops’ outfits to delight crowds and special markets sold toys and treats for the occasion. While St Nicholas, the man who is the source of the legend was born in the third century, the medieval period saw the origins of a Father Christmas character, when he was known as the Lord of Misrule and someone acting in his name would be appointed to oversee the festivities of the Christmas season and engage in revelry and merry making.It explains the role of the Post Office in helping Santa to reply to children in the UK every year. The Untold Story of Father Christmas is one that feels very well written and thought out, with beautiful notes of hope, working together, and ensuring that the magic of Christmas is still there. The book itself is beautiful too. The silver trim feels magical, and the pictures within the book look like they’ve been passed down from generation to generation. It’s a lovely Christmas story to read with your little one, especially if they are curious about how Father Christmas came to be and how he found a bunch of Elves to help him!
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