Merry Christmas Readers - The Classic Legend of Santa Claus - From the 3rd Century to Today

Celebrations

As readers know, I enjoy researching other cultures as well as sharing interesting customs with you that both involve kids and adults from a family perspective. I don't celebrate Christmas myself; nevertheless, I've covered a huge range of topics on today's holiday observance before.  Just a few weeks ago, an Arthur Christmas movie giveaway ran on MBE and then there was the post about how to easily create heirloom quality ornaments with personal photos. In past years I've also written about everything from the movie Curious George - A Very Monkey Christmas and the origins of the 12 Days of Christmas to a gift showcase of ideas for kids that enhance family living to Christmas iPhone and iPad apps for kids and moms to free and frugal DIY Christmas crafts the whole family will enjoy. This year, for something different, I decided to look into the legend of Santa Claus which is probably the number one thing that children the world over who celebrate this day associate with it.
Santa Sighting in the sky above Beverly Hills
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com


The big fat jolly guy in the red and white flocked suit, it turns out, didn't start out looking the way he does today in the eyes of children who sit on his lap to tell him what they want for Christmas. As a matter of fact this holiday symbol wasn't even known as Santa originally.

The person that historians regard as the original source of this tradition is St. Nicholas who was born in the 3rd century in a town on the southern coast of Turkey and was known throughout his life for giving gifts to the poor, children, and mariners. He even was persecuted by the Roman Empire for his religious beliefs and did time in prison during his life. 

Then in 1822, many centuries after the original St. Nick had died on the other half of the globe, Clement Clarke Moore, a New York native, wrote the poem An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas for his three daughters. This came to be known as the popular classic story 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. With the continued rise of commercialism and advertising of the holiday in the mid 1800s, especially in the U.S., the popular image of Santa Claus as he is portrayed in modern times emerged. Today that old-fashioned depictions seems to have changed little over the past 75 years.
Santa, Sleigh & 8 Reindeer Seem Oblivious to L.A. Traffic
At the busiest intersection in Beverly Hills
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com


If you celebrate Christmas what are some of the traditions you have that are rooted in your own childhood? What new customs have you created for your own children to enjoy?

Merry Christmas to those celebrating today

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8 Nights of Hanukkah December 20-27 - Candle #5

Celebrations

It's the fifth night of Chanukah. Just got back from taking the dog for a walk and enjoyed walking through a Jewish Winter Wonderland Southern California style. No we didn't get snow and I seriously doubt it has ever snowed where we live, not even flurries, since on a clear day you can practically smell the ocean air down at the beach not too far away. What I did revel in was on my block the windows were aglow this evening with menorahs each with 5 candles lit to, "Remind us of days long ago," as the Hanukkah song says.

Our menorah now has 5 lights & 1 helper candle
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

As I walked, I saw over a dozen individual menorah window displays including a few family homes with one menorah and some with many menorahs, one for each child in the household. There's even a neighbor having a child's Hanukkah party for about 15 tonight and each kid is lighting their own menorah. That means that after the little ones each have their 5 candles lighted, it's going to be burning brightly over the whole neighborhood.

Happy Chanukah wherever you are

New post each night of Hanukkah!

Meanwhile, check out these other 2011 Chanukah posts

Hanukkah Candle #1 

Hanukkah Candle #2

Hanukkah Candle #3

Make your own Hanukkah Gingerbread House

Paper Hanukkah Menorah Centerpiece Decoration

Read additional MBE posts from past years for lots of ideas to enhance your holiday: crafts, cooking, baking, activities, and gift ideas. Just enter the word Hanukkah in the search window in right hand column of this blog for lots more content.

Do you think Hanukkah is for kids or adults or both? Relate your answer and tell what you are doing tonight to celebrate?

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Purina Dog Chow Vote on Facebook & They Donate to Service Dog Groups - Hanukkah Candle #4

Community

During the holidays it's great to see so many companies leveraging Facebook to raise funds for worthy organizations. Recently I told you about Toyota Prius and their Toys for Tots Facebook campaign where the company will donate toys to that charity for the holidays filling up Toyota Prius cars one by one with toys selected by Facebook participants.

Dexter, our miniature pinscher, wishes you a Happy Hanukkah!
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Since I'm an animal lover, a pet dog owner, and also an advocate of non-profit Service Dog Organizations I could not pass up sharing another corporate charitable program where, at no cost to you, they'll donate $1 for each person who Likes Purina Dog Chow on Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.