With Christmas coming soon....The myth of Santa Clause

molleur · Dec 12, 2015

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w

unctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

oNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w

ontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w

ontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w

ontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Where did the myth of Santa Clause come from?

In Germany's black forest, before Christianity came to the place, they had a legend about creatures called tomtin. These were wholly evil little dwarf-like creatures, who wore red (the color of blood). They would band together, pull a traveler to the ground and beat him.

The tomtin had a leader, though. He was known as Nacht Rupert. Nacht Rupert would sometimes come into villages taking a small army of tomtin with him, and could sometimes be seen peering into windows. He would often kill those he was watching, unless the people inside were keeping to the old faiths, in which case he would give gifts.

When the Catholic faith made it to the area, they were appalled at such a thing, and decided to replace the notion with a saint, who happened to be St. Nicholas. At first, though, this did not erase his sinister reputation. For some time, he was known as 'Buller Claus' (translates to 'Belled 'Nicholas') because of the chains and bells that he carried. When he approached a house, the tomtin went ahead to rouse sleeping children, drag them from their beds, and ask them questions on the Christian catechism. If they could not answer or answered incorrectly, the tomtin beat them with sharp sticks and chains while St. Nicholas pelted them with hard coal until they bled and the tomtin licked the blood from their wounds. If they were able to answer correctly, they were (grudgingly) rewarded with an apple or sweetmeat. Luckily, St. Nicholas would only come once a year, on a certain day in winter.

Later, the image of the tomtin softened, and they became 'Santa's little helpers' or 'Christmas Elves'. Also, things changed around a bit, and now it is Santa who wears the red (color of blood) suit.

Larry L. · Dec 12, 2015

And we thank you for that little bit of 'uplifting', 'holiday cheer-inducing', and, until now, pretty much 'unknown' historical factoid..........yuh ol' Grinch!

(BTW...'done any work on your SL-C lately???)

molleur · Dec 12, 2015

Not a grinch, a WOGG!

Keith1 · Dec 14, 2015

Do you know Jack, I believe all that. Well, I have to, I am expecting some nice presents from Santa this year. Don't want to upset the applecart.

Nick Brough · Dec 15, 2015

Well my wife has just come home with stocking presents our son 27 daughter 25 and our son's wife!!!

So looks like they take after me, and still believe there is a sanity clause

Veek · Dec 15, 2015

Christmas shopping is almost to crunch time and Santa has not gotten anything for my Mrs. She has been totally uncooperative as to hints as to what she wants for Christmas. Looking for the old standby, I couldn't find her any perfume I liked at the department store. So I decided I'd find her something I personally found really appealing. I got her a nice spray bottle of the new car smell they sell at Autozone.

molleur · Dec 15, 2015

Pat
An appointment at a really good SPA always works.

Keith1 · Dec 15, 2015

Spa? What the F1 Grand Prix 2016? Great call Jack! She'd like that

molleur · Dec 15, 2015

Always liked Spa Francorchamps, the other not so much.

Nick Brough · Dec 15, 2015

Well I tell everyone how I got the current Mrs Brough some Riley Elf car mats for Christmas one year.

Does my street cred no end of good among the men. especially as I never tell them that's what she wanted

Pete · Dec 16, 2015

My wife has repeatedly said she doesn't want a Christmas present.
Of course that's not true, my quandary is should I get her the mag wheels or the quick lift jack?

Nick Brough · Dec 16, 2015

Pete said:
My wife has repeatedly said she doesn't want a Christmas present.
Of course that's not true, my quandary is should I get her the mag wheels or the quick lift jack?

Pete,

The more thoughtful present would be the quick lift jack, as it will save her time when changing a punctured tyre.

Keith1 · Dec 16, 2015

I know this rightly belongs in another section but following on the sentiments expressed in this thread, I believe this sad story should be relayed here...

Here is a guy reporting to the police that his wife is missing:

Husband: My wife is missing. She went shopping yesterday and has not come home...

Sergeant: What is her height?

Husband: Gee, I'm not sure. A little over five-feet tall.

Sergeant: Weight?

Husband: Don't know. Not slim, not really fat.

Sergeant: Color of eyes?

Husband: Sort of brown I think. Never really noticed.

Sergeant: Color of hair?

Husband: Changes a couple times a year. Maybe dark brown now. I can’t remember.

Sergeant: What was she wearing?

Husband: Could have been pants, or maybe a skirt or shorts. I don't know exactly.

Sergeant: What kind of car did she go in?

Husband: She went in my truck.

Sergeant: What kind of truck was it?

Husband: A 2015 Ford F150 King Ranch 4X4 with eco-boost 5.0L V8 engine special ordered with manual transmission and climate controlled air conditioning. It has a custom matching white cover for the bed, which has a matching aftermarket bed liner. Custom leather 6-way seats and "Bubba" floor mats. Trail-ring package with gold hitch and special wiring hook-ups. DVD with full GPS navigation, satellite radio receiver, 23-channel CB radio, six cup holders, a USB port, and four power outlets. I added special alloy wheels and off-road Michelins. It has custom running boards and indirect wheel well lighting.........

At this point the husband started choking up.. . . .

Sergeant: Don't worry buddy. We'll find your truck.

Pete · Dec 16, 2015

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

molleur · Dec 16, 2015

Well, I did buy her a new carburetor for her lawnmower for Christmas last year!
No joke either.

With Christmas coming soon....The myth of Santa Clause

Jack

Larry L.

Jack

Keith

Nick

Pat

Jack

Keith

Jack

Nick

Pete McCluskey.

Nick

Keith

Pete McCluskey.

Jack

Similar threads