Father Christmas is something that goes back to pagan times. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Christmas Is this effect of globalisation and childrens exposure to american tv (nothing against Americans). Another nail in the coffin of English Traditions? What do you think?
2006-12-05 05:30:29 · 12 answers · asked by Robyn in the Hoode 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
I have always said santa claus & intend to carry on santa.
2006-12-05 05:33:28 · answer #1 · answered by Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Did you happen to see the most recent edition of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
Those of us who have read the series, and are Wiccan or Pagan but were Christians as children, take the message of the Last Battle to mean that when we do good, are faithful, and act honorably, even when not in the name of the Christian God, if the afterlife is as represented by Christians we'll still have some kind of chance; furthermore, the whole series presents non-evil pagan spirits and non-evil pagan deities living in harmony to/ with/ under Aslan, CS Lewis's Narnian face of Jesus, something we would all like to be true.
That being the case, for a number of reasons, the idea of Father Christmas is going to become more popular for quite a few years!
2006-12-05 15:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by raxivar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to the fact that Christmas is the reinvention of Yuletide a pagan celebration, the character of Father Christmas can be traced to the old Pagan God of the north, called Odin or Wodin.
At Yuletide the Vikings and Pagan Saxons Jute's and Angles believed that when they fell asleep, Odin or Wodin came through the hole in the roof of the great hall (a primitive chimney) and if the people had left a tankard of sacred mead and some food for their ethereal guest, then Odin-Wodin would grant them good luck for the following year.
The other name for Odin-Wodin was the All Father, hence the Father of yuletide, or Father Christmas.
Our ancient pagan beliefs are still evident in our culture, as each day of the week is named after the old Gods.
Monday is named after the moon, Tuesday after Twi, Wednesday after Woden, Thursday after Thor, Friday after Frigg (Odin's-Wodins wife) Saturday after Saturn and Sunday after the sun.
2006-12-10 03:49:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
But Xmas is a pagan holiday ( birthday of God Mithras) anyway, so whats the big deal. Christianity has always borrowed symbols and traditions from the older religions, but the Church made it orthodox by attributing the hols with a christian event, e.g All Saints eve, Easter Sunday, etc
2006-12-05 21:43:45 · answer #4 · answered by Dumbguy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I read somewhere that the modern day version of Father Christmas originated with Coke-a-Cola. Not sure how true that is. But they must have based their version on Saint Nicholas...aka Santa Claus.
2006-12-07 12:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by Qwerty_Monster_Munch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Saint Nicholas was a religious man who really existed and was called father. In Lorraine, France and provided money to brides so that they could get married..
2006-12-05 17:29:53 · answer #6 · answered by Nicolette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a thing to get worked up about! What does it matter what children call him, and if it's the Dutch name people are using I'm not sure why you're blaming the Americans?
2006-12-05 18:51:15 · answer #7 · answered by Digger 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the English like to change everything to suit themselves! (no offence meant to anyone) It probably started with some kid who couldn't pronounce Saint Nicholas!anyway, what difference does it make? Santa is easier to say.
2006-12-05 16:33:37 · answer #8 · answered by imaprincessindisguise 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claues is whats used on the telly so everyone pics it up, i also think it sounds better, my kids call him plain old SANTA. To kids it doesn't matter what you call him as long as he leaves nice things on xmas eve ready for them to wake up to:)
2006-12-05 13:39:29 · answer #9 · answered by superstar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Dutch call him Sinta Clause, don't make a big thing about it does it really matter.Merry Christmas ,have a good one (REST YOUR BRAIN)
2006-12-05 14:03:51 · answer #10 · answered by small woman 49 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋