With the festivities of Christmas and the presents under the tree coming soon people think about what Christmas is about and it raises a question.
Is Jesus the face of Christmas, or Santa?
Christmas originates from a mix of Christian beliefs and Pagan festivals.
Although the exact birthdate of Jesus is unknown, the early christian church designated december 25th as his birth.
Dec. 25th was likely chosen to align with the Roman holiday Saturnalia which took place mid winter.
Saturnalia had many traditions that became christmas ones such as gift giving, decorating homes with greenery and even mistletoe.
The christmas tree also derives from Germanic tribes celebrating yule during the winter solstice, where they would decorate trees and light bonfires to represent the return of the sun.
Santa Claus on the other hand originates all the way back to the 3rd century where today is modern day Turkey.
St. Nicholas was a Monk born around A.D. 280. He was admired for his kindness and generosity.
It was said that he traveled the country and gave away all his wealth to the poor and ill.
His name became famous and was known as the protector of children and sailors. He even had a day dedicated to him on Dec. sixth where people would come together and feast.
It was also a popular day to make large purchases and even get married.
St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe by the renaissance. Even reaching New York at the end of the eighteenth century.
The name Santa Claus comes from the shortened St. Nicholas, which became Sinter Klaas.
As santa became more popular in america, he was used in advertisements, shopping malls, decorations and songs
One company responsible for many Santa Claus advertisements was Coca Cola, they commissioned an artist to create a jolly old man in a red suit drinking Coca Cola in 1931.
He’s seen on T-Shirts, artwork, ornaments, commercials , in movies, on candy and in books.
“When I think of Christmas, I think of Santa. I think it’s partly because when I go to a store I see Santa everywhere,” sophomore William Froberg said.
The sheer amount of Santa imagery overtakes the representation of Jesus and his birth making santa possibly the face of christmas
The question of who truly is the face of Christmas has become an interesting topic.
Although Christians celebrate the holiday as the birth of Jesus, we know Dec. 25th is most likely not his birthdate and is used more as a symbol of Jesus.
Santa on the other hand is known all over the world by christians and non-christians.
Ultimately, Christmas allows for the interpretation of its real meaning, a recognized time of generosity and kindness personified by Santa, or to show your faith in Jesus Christ
