The Legend of Father Christmas or Santa

Saxons

When the Saxons invaded Britain, they brought with them their own solstice tradition. In each village, an elderly man would dress up in furs and become 'Old Winter'. People believed that he carried the spirit of winter with him and the season would be kind to any household that had been hospitable to him. He would go from house to house, enjoying gifts of food and drink. When the Saxons converted to Christianity, they did not give up ‘Old Winter’. The custom was observed all through the “Middle Ages” and eventually, he became a character in the Christmas mummer's plays.

Norse

The Vikings brought along their beliefs when they settled in the north of Britain. They believed that Odin, in the form of his December character, a portly, elderly man with a white beard rode through the world on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir at solstice. Dressed in a long, blue, hooded cloak, he sat with his people and listened to see if they were contented. He also carried a satchel of riches, which he distributed to the worthy or the poor.

Norman

After 1066, the Normans added their veneration of St. Nicholas to the mix. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, in the area that is now Turkey, in the 3rd century AD. He was generous to the poor and particularly kind to children. Many of the gift bringers after this time were depicted wearing clothing similar to that of a Bishop.

Medieval and Renaissance

St. Nicholas became very popular in Britain. By 1500, over 500 songs and hymns had been written in his honor and over 700 churches were dedicated to him. He also began to be blended with the character of Old Winter. Our first written reference is a line in a 15th century carol: "Welcome, my lord Christmas."

Sir Christmas or Captain Christmas often presided over holiday entertainment in large houses during Tudor and Stuart times. An illustration by Thomas Nabbes, made in 1638, shows him as an old man in a long furred coat and cap.

Commonwealth and Restoration

In 1644, the Puritans banned Christmas celebrations and Father Christmas as well. People missed the revelry, and the figure of Father Christmas was often used to express their dissatisfaction. It was about this time that he became part of the mummer's plays. Often, he strode onto the stage at the beginning of the performance, calling to the audience, "In comes I, old Father Christmas, be I welcome or be I not? I hope old Father Christmas, will never be forgot."

In 1645, a London broadsheet taunted the government with the story about the conviction and imprisonment of Father Christmas, and "the Hue and Cry after his escape there from." In 1678, a book titled The Examination and Tryal of old Father Christmas and his clearing by Jury was published in London.

When the monarchy was restored, so was Father Christmas.

Victorian

The Victorian Father Christmas included characteristics of all these figures. He was usually drawn as an old man in a long, hooded coat. The coat was usually green, but it could be a variety of colors .... blue, turquoise, purple, green, and brown .... and could be trimmed with furs or decorated with stars.

John Leech drew the illustrations in the first publication of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” the Ghost of Christmas Carol wears a long green cloak and a holly wreath.

Changing Appearance

Father Christmas's coat was usually red after about 1880. The color was probably influenced by the popular choice of red for the American Santa Claus.

Father Christmas Today

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and many Commonwealth countries, children still write letters to Father Christmas to tell him what presents they want. Some mail or email their letters. Others follow the traditional practice of throwing their letters into the back of the fireplace, where they will be swept up the chimney for "delivery" with the sparks.

As you can see from the legends that surround the gift bringers from around the world, I have plenty of inspiration. 

I hope you've enjoyed the history behind Father Christmas or Santa or whatever persona we've chosen to represent the spirit of giving and the figures I've crafted in his image.

I've just added a stand alone page that is my Blog Shop. It lists the items that I have for sale at this time, so check it out if your are interested.

Thanks for stopping by.