CHRISTMAS TIME AND SYMBOLS

The earliest legend of Saint Nicholas reaches back to Asia Minor in the 4th century. Born in Patara, a seaport, St. Nicholas traveled to Egypt and Palestine as a young man. Wherever he traveled, his extraordinary kindness, and his practice of giving gifts to needy children made him a hero to the people. Much later, the name "St. Nicholas" splintered into many variations among Protestant churches in Europe. Then, with the colonization of America, religious and secular images joined in recognizing "Santa Claus," who symbolized the spirit of giving.

The first written story about the legend of Santa Claus and his eight reindeer was "A Visit from St. Nicholas," penned by Clement C. Moore in 1823. The legend is taken from Russian stories of Father Frost arriving in villages in a sled drawn by reindeer. The legend also existed in Holland, where children believed St. Nicholas would ride through the air, checking on children who misbehaved. The ninth reindeer, Rudolph, did not come along until 1939, in a story by Robert L. May.

The tradition of hanging stockings from the fireplace originated from one of the most famous Christmas stories of St. Nicholas. The story comes from the 1800's, when the father of three young maidens could not afford a dowry for his daughters to be married. From his castle, St. Nicholas heard of the poor misfortune of the maidens, and secretly threw three bags of gold coins down their chimney. It is said that the gold coins landed in the girls' stockings, which were hanging in the fireplace to dry. Later, in Holland, children would leave out their wooden shoes in hopes that St. Nicholas would fill them with goodies.

In the time of darkness surrounding the winter solstice, in the long cold month of December, candles were an important source of light and heat. Ancient Romans lit candles to ward off evil, and to convince the sun to shine again. In Victorian times, candles came to represent good will for those less fortunate during the holiday season. Candles were often placed in windows during the Christmas season as a sign to passersby that shelter and warmth could be found within.

In ancient times, holly was considered magical and sacred because of its shiny leaves and ability to bear fruit in winter. It was often believed that if you hung holly over your bed, you would have good dreams. At one time, holly was connected to the mythical Holly King - patron king of the winter solstice. As the Winter Solstice Festivals evolved, holly remained a part of holiday celebrations. And, along with ivy and mistletoe, it remains a popular form of decorative Christmas greenery today.

The Yule log began as an ancient tradition. Burning it during the winter solstice symbolized the coming of warmer, sunnier days. It was also believed that the Yule log brought protection and good luck to those who burned it. Later, for some, the burning of the Yule log came to symbolize the light of Heaven. The Yule log itself is usually oak. It is often kindled with an unburned portion of the Yule log from the previous year, to symbolize continuity.

When German immigrants came to America, they brought with them the tradition of hanging small toys, candies and other goodies on the Christmas tree. Between 1800 and 1920, blown-glass ornaments called kugles were sent to the United States, where they were eventually popularized by dime store chains.

Greenery refers to trees and plants that remain green and flourish year round. Holly, ivy, mistletoe and, of course, the Christmas Tree, are all common Christmas greenery. Ancient people revered evergreens for their ability to stay alive during the cold winter months. Often considered magical, they came to symbolize good luck and prosperity. Greenery often adorned the inside and outside of homes during the Winter Solstice Festivals. As Christmas evolved into the holiday we celebrate today, the use of greenery as a means of decoration has remained constant.

Gingerbread has been a holiday tradition for thousands of years. It was originally eaten during Winter Solstice Festivals. But the tradition of the house made of Gingerbread originated in Germany. It is believed that in the early 1800's, Germans began shaping their Gingerbread into festive holiday creations. Gingerbread Houses soon became very popular, and remain so today. The Gingerbread House has now become a favorite Christmas tradition all over the world.

The tradition of sending Christmas cards is thought to have originated in the mid-1800's, when a few people began designing handmade cards to be sent to friends and family. But a man named John Calcott Horsely is often credited as being the first Christmas card creator. Horsely printed his Christmas card in 1843 for Sir Henry Cole, the friend who had given him the idea. The card depicted a typical English family enjoying the holiday, as well as scenes of people performing acts of charity, an important part of the Victorian Christmas spirit. The card was inscribed, "Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You." A thousand copies of the card were printed, selling for one shilling a piece. This is reportedly the first Christmas card to be produced and sold to the public.

In the past, bells and other noisemakers were believed to frighten away evil spirits. But, as part of the Winter Solstice Festivals, bell ringing activities were often rowdy, mixing in some fun with the serious intent. As late as the 1890's, children in the United States thought of Christmas and noisemakers as nearly synonymous. But, for the most part, that tradition has died out - perhaps out of concern for parental eardrums! Bells, however - particularly church bells, have remained a staple of the Christmas season. Today, the peal of bells still herald the coming of the holiday.

The ancient custom of the mistletoe dates back to the Druids and Romans. The Druids and Romans believed mistletoe had the magic power of peace, symbolizing "peace to all who enter." Opposing soldiers who found themselves under the mistletoe quickly laid down their arms, and declared peace for the day. The custom of the mistletoe has remained popular in England and the United States. Mistletoe is placed over the doorway, and those who pass under the doorway are given a kiss.

The Medieval tale of the pickle tells of two Spanish boys traveling home from boarding school for the holidays. Weary from travel, they stop at an inn for the night. The inn keeper, a mean and evil man, steals the boys' possessions, and stuffs the boys into a pickle barrel. That evening, St. Nicholas stops in for a rest at the inn, and becomes aware of the boys' plight. He taps the pickle barrel with his staff, and the boys are magically restored. The boys thank St. Nicholas, and continue happily home for Christmas. Through time, this Victorian tradition has been celebrated by hiding a hand-blown glass pickle on the Christmas tree, and whoever finds it on Christmas morning receives a special gift.