Hi Michael, I recommend you read the book 'the horse, the wheel and the language' by David Anthony. This is a good introduction towards Indo-European expansions from which Santa ultimately derives. Pre-christian Santa was an older male at the head of a 'koryos', a so called warband of youngsters, as part of an initiation ritual. Information about this is generally academic and relatively scattered, but a fun thing for you to write about next could be to compare the different santa/saint Nicholas associated traditions.
In many Arctic cultures, shamans ascended to the spirit world through a hole in the roof of a tent (smoke hole). Fitting they’d “return” with “presents.”
Excellent article, Michael. I appreciate your inquisitive nature to investigate the origin, and the discovery of the turtles. If more individuals would seek to understand the psychology and intent of religion, we would live in a vastly different world. While the fusion of traditions you highlighted likely originated from attempted to convert and homogenize, the reason they stuck was the similarity of sentiment. Keeping an open mind, these similarities are a path to unite folks at a deeper level rather than emphasizing differences. Cheers.
Awesome to hear and you’ve hit on something my cousin, who went on the same theological adventure as I did, are planning to write on regarding that similarity. There’s something out there, just under the surface that unifies.
As a very determined and practicing Agnostic, (Re: Fair Witness), I certainly share a lot of the concerns, but of course my resolution path is influenced by my commitment to self, so for me, a lie is still a lie, a deliberate falsehood, and I don't much tend to evaluate the white from the black.
There's a lot in the myths if we don't make them about true or untrue but more like a story, a fairy tale if you will. I think they become a lie when you force them to be true instead of seeing the truths. 😀
Dear MW – Great piece! I love that you did a deep dive into older traditions. I find it fascinating. My take on what Christmas has become in the US: the retailer’s wet dream. They start pushing Christmas in October. It is like Thanksgiving and Christmas get conglomerated in this big nebulous thing called “The Holiday Season.” Without Christmas binge-buying, some retailers would not make it. I am not seeing nearly as much crowding at department stores like Macy’s. I guess online shopping has replaced the real-life experience. But stores like Sephora and Ulta market Christmas themed stocking-stuffer “mini gifts” with a vengeance.
“Interestingly enough, I propose it leaves us with an understanding that Santa is also a Christ-type figure of a benevolent man who judges naughty and nice”
Wow, you hit the nail on the head. How many parents gaslight their kids with: “Santa is not coming to our house unless you finish your broccoli.” I find this surreal. Don’t we want kids to be able to distinguish between real and made-up? Kids associate Christmas with time off from school and “getting lots of stuff.” And for wealthier kids – cool trips to Cabo or Vail. More importantly, children from under-served families endure the shame of getting less stuff than other kids and feeling less-than because of it. I agree that “Santa gifts” are batshit. Also, think of the incongruity of telling kids a big fat weirdo is going to break into the house by way of the chimney. Leave him cookies and milk? He’s had enough. Santa might be a compulsive eater. Take one look at Mrs. Claus – this might explain it.
The Elf on the Shelf is another made-up, oppressive, nonsense gimmick. Stores make big bucks selling the elves. Now Santa has a helper in the “spy on your kids” department. He moves locations in the house periodically just to make sure the surveillance state is intact. I know I sound cynical but as a kid I LOVED Christmas. I would sit and stare at the lighted Christmas tree for hours, like I was stoned. When I was a munchkin – I believed Christmas was about love and expressing love through giving stuff to people. I would wrap presents with a deep focus, and I always wanted each gift to look completely different. I could never use the same bow or wrapping paper twice. My OCD-type behavior started early. I don’t necessarily think this is bad, except that I wish I had not associated love with material objects. I guess I thought if I gave people presents, they would love me more.
I am a devoted bargain-hunter. The deal is – hit the after-Christmas sales to get gifts for next Christmas. You can save a fortune. However, I am aware that being dollar-holders make ALL people living in the US privileged. Someone is paying the price for our bargains, and they live in low-income countries.
I avoided Elf on the Shelf for a reason because it seems fun but... However I just love it when people do pick it up because it is so masochistic and they'll receive their just reward because is more work than it's worth.
This essay on the same topic just dropped from one of my favorite substacks. The Free Press by Bari Weiss
https://www.thefp.com/p/was-santa-actually-a-mushroom-tripping/comments
I love this one each time I read it!
Hi Michael, I recommend you read the book 'the horse, the wheel and the language' by David Anthony. This is a good introduction towards Indo-European expansions from which Santa ultimately derives. Pre-christian Santa was an older male at the head of a 'koryos', a so called warband of youngsters, as part of an initiation ritual. Information about this is generally academic and relatively scattered, but a fun thing for you to write about next could be to compare the different santa/saint Nicholas associated traditions.
Awesome tip. I'll check that out for certain!
In many Arctic cultures, shamans ascended to the spirit world through a hole in the roof of a tent (smoke hole). Fitting they’d “return” with “presents.”
I love all of those traditions. Its so much richer.
Excellent article, Michael. I appreciate your inquisitive nature to investigate the origin, and the discovery of the turtles. If more individuals would seek to understand the psychology and intent of religion, we would live in a vastly different world. While the fusion of traditions you highlighted likely originated from attempted to convert and homogenize, the reason they stuck was the similarity of sentiment. Keeping an open mind, these similarities are a path to unite folks at a deeper level rather than emphasizing differences. Cheers.
Awesome to hear and you’ve hit on something my cousin, who went on the same theological adventure as I did, are planning to write on regarding that similarity. There’s something out there, just under the surface that unifies.
As a very determined and practicing Agnostic, (Re: Fair Witness), I certainly share a lot of the concerns, but of course my resolution path is influenced by my commitment to self, so for me, a lie is still a lie, a deliberate falsehood, and I don't much tend to evaluate the white from the black.
Great work Michael, thought provoking as always.
There's a lot in the myths if we don't make them about true or untrue but more like a story, a fairy tale if you will. I think they become a lie when you force them to be true instead of seeing the truths. 😀
Dear MW – Great piece! I love that you did a deep dive into older traditions. I find it fascinating. My take on what Christmas has become in the US: the retailer’s wet dream. They start pushing Christmas in October. It is like Thanksgiving and Christmas get conglomerated in this big nebulous thing called “The Holiday Season.” Without Christmas binge-buying, some retailers would not make it. I am not seeing nearly as much crowding at department stores like Macy’s. I guess online shopping has replaced the real-life experience. But stores like Sephora and Ulta market Christmas themed stocking-stuffer “mini gifts” with a vengeance.
“Interestingly enough, I propose it leaves us with an understanding that Santa is also a Christ-type figure of a benevolent man who judges naughty and nice”
Wow, you hit the nail on the head. How many parents gaslight their kids with: “Santa is not coming to our house unless you finish your broccoli.” I find this surreal. Don’t we want kids to be able to distinguish between real and made-up? Kids associate Christmas with time off from school and “getting lots of stuff.” And for wealthier kids – cool trips to Cabo or Vail. More importantly, children from under-served families endure the shame of getting less stuff than other kids and feeling less-than because of it. I agree that “Santa gifts” are batshit. Also, think of the incongruity of telling kids a big fat weirdo is going to break into the house by way of the chimney. Leave him cookies and milk? He’s had enough. Santa might be a compulsive eater. Take one look at Mrs. Claus – this might explain it.
The Elf on the Shelf is another made-up, oppressive, nonsense gimmick. Stores make big bucks selling the elves. Now Santa has a helper in the “spy on your kids” department. He moves locations in the house periodically just to make sure the surveillance state is intact. I know I sound cynical but as a kid I LOVED Christmas. I would sit and stare at the lighted Christmas tree for hours, like I was stoned. When I was a munchkin – I believed Christmas was about love and expressing love through giving stuff to people. I would wrap presents with a deep focus, and I always wanted each gift to look completely different. I could never use the same bow or wrapping paper twice. My OCD-type behavior started early. I don’t necessarily think this is bad, except that I wish I had not associated love with material objects. I guess I thought if I gave people presents, they would love me more.
I am a devoted bargain-hunter. The deal is – hit the after-Christmas sales to get gifts for next Christmas. You can save a fortune. However, I am aware that being dollar-holders make ALL people living in the US privileged. Someone is paying the price for our bargains, and they live in low-income countries.
Thanks for a thought-provoking article.
I avoided Elf on the Shelf for a reason because it seems fun but... However I just love it when people do pick it up because it is so masochistic and they'll receive their just reward because is more work than it's worth.