The Christmas Intruder

Many years ago I confronted this issue with a class of children. We researched the various stories that explained the beginning of Santa and his dominant and overwhelming part of Christmas. I believe the beginning of the story is about a man concerned about poor children without food or any kind of christmas cheer at Christmas time. The only visible sign of poverty was a non smoking chimney. Down that chimney he dropped apples, oranges, and other food stuffs. He wore a red cloak in case he fell off the roof into the deep snow. Easier to find. This idea was copied even by a Bishop in Poland and throughout Europe stories and tales were told about Saint Nicholas – because of love for the Child who came to save their souls
How sad.. in the far off beginning it was all about the BABY but from the tales of red suits and kindness instead of the focus being on the reason for the kindness the story spread like fire and the giver began to assume a very secular and non threatening and front easily marketable sign of Christmas. The Christ of Christ-mass eventually became a faint ‘extra’ to this new visible hero. Santa – in Christmas RED covered the deceiver’s real plan to take the baby out of the season and focus on Satan (ie , santa) Most of the santa myths and stories are wonderful for children but we All have a responsibility to keep proclaiming WHO ALONE is the REASON FOR THESEASON.