Has Santa spoilt Christmas?

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   marymootooposted 12 years ago

   Do you think that Christmas would have been a much different event if the man in red had never appeared. What sort of festival would we have for the birth of Jesus in the 21st century?

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      wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      All is conjecture, of course, but some of the things we might see now without Santa:
      
      The cristmas tree has it's roots in pagan celebrations which became a decorated tree long before Santa.  That would probably remain.  Same thing for tree boughs and wreaths. 
      
      The traditional feast again comes from the pagans of the time and again long predates Santa.  In addition nearly every holiday includes "pigging out" at the table - we would almost certainly retain the Christmas feast.
      
      Mistletoe comes out of Druid legends, once more long before Santa, and we'd likely still be smooching under the mistletoe.
      
      The nativity concept was added by Christians before Santa as well and would remain.
      
      Santa, although the very deep roots date to the 4th century or thereabouts, is a newcomer in it's current form of the guy in the red suit.  Most of the legend of Santa comes directly from Clement Moore, who in 1822 wrote "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and defined Santa to very nearly what he is today.  Gift giving in general long predates Santa and never did depend on him so we would likely still see the giving of gifts.
      
      Along with Santa, of course, came Rudolph.  Rudolph was born in a story penned by Robert May in a Montgomery Wards ad campaign - without Santa we would likely have no Rudolph either as that story depended on Santa as a supporting character.
      
      The bottom line, then, is that Christmas would probably be very similar to what it is today without Santa.  The wonder of children at the tale would be gone, but that's about all.

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         Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         If we took all the paganism out of Christianity such as: Christmas, Easter, burning in hell, and a boogyman called Satan, would there be much left?

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            wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Given that the church specifically created and designed Christmas to compete with pagan holidays, to make conversion to Christianity more palatable, without pagan influences in the first place there would be no Christmas at all. 
            
            It might have happened anyway - people are always up for a good feast and celebration - but it would not have been in December and the large majority of decorations and myths we enjoy would not have been there.  The only thing the church actually supplied was the concept of the nativity scene; all else is pagan or druid in nature.  At least of the ancient characteristics; Santa, Rudolph, Frosty - these are much more modern.
            
            It's rather surprising to me that Santa is so popular after only a couple hundred years, and Rudolph and Frosty as well.  Will the polar express become a yearly event in a few decades?  The Grinch or the Bumble?

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   Nurseyposted 12 years ago

   It would be a horrid celebration without Santa Baby and the presents he brings me.

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   Sooner28posted 12 years ago

   This is an interesting question.  What if Christianity had not become the official religion of the Roman Empire?  Maybe we would not be debating about public displays of religious beliefs!

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   Disappearingheadposted 12 years ago

   Santa is actually the Devil. They both wear red, they both have the same letters in their name (SANTA-SATAN), and you never see them in the same place at the same time.....Mmm the plot thickens.

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The gifts are a distraction from Jesus!  It all makes sense now...

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