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TURNING THE TIME OVER TO . . . bination of homesickness and self-pity was washing over me. But whatever the stimulus, it caused me to evaluate the difference be- L. Kay Gillespie tween the U.S. celebrations and that which I was experiencing in Germany. CONFESSIONS OF A SANTA DISSENTER Two of these include the separation of St. Nicholas (celebrated on 6 December) from the birth of Christ (celebrated for two days, 25–26 December). And on Christmas A lie which is half a truth is ever Each year, I receive new, cre- Eve, each child receives one gift from the the blackest of lies. ative versions of ’Twas The Christc hild and then the family goes to mid- —ALFRED LORD TENNYSON Night Before Christmas. Some I night mass or some other church service.1  can share, others not. Here’s a Since that night so many years ago, I have ANTA KNEELING AT the favorite: returned to the Alps of Germany, manger? Santa hanging from ’Twas the night before Switzerland, and Austria to experience the S the cross? I have given my an- Christmas, and Christmas seasons of my Christmas coming nual Anti-Claus lecture for more than Santa was a wreck of age. Among my favorite experiences is that thirty-five years—at six different universities How to live in a world that’s of standing at the site in Oberndorf, Austria, and colleges, and before such diverse audi- politically correct? where “Silent Night,” in its original composi- ences as local churches, civic organizations, His workers no longer would answer tion, was first written and performed. and the Sunstone Symposium. to “elves” While my Anti-Claus lecture is delivered Because my wife and I have never taught “Vertically challenged” they were in my tongue-in-cheek, in-your-face style our children to believe in , our calling themselves. . . . (which some students call my “Shock and neighbors have kept their children away And, of course, I am privy to all the latest Awe” approach), I believe much in what I from our home at Christmastime, and I am a emails, including the suggestion that Santa suggest is crucial for Christian people to con- pariah in my ward because I protest every Claus is really a she, not a he, because: sider. We face a growing secularization that is time Santa is brought into our meetinghouse • Christmas is a big, organized, replacing Christmas, the celebration of the for Christmas parties. Stuffed Santas in warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal. birth of Christ, with “X-mas” and “Happy mousetraps mysteriously appear under my Obviously not the kind of thing a Holidays,” the celebration of Santa Claus, office door—along with verse, reindeer food, guy could pull off at all. and the commercial, worldly, deconstruc- (and poop!): • If he were actually a man, everyone tionist agenda that attends this movement to For all the souls who hate the noise, in the universe would wake up neutralize any religious context for the cele- Of Christmas cheer and lights and toys. Christmas morning to find a rotating bration. For Mr. Scrooge, and Mrs. too, musical Chia Pet under the tree— I have carefully tracked some of the mis- Here’s a little gift for you. still in the store bag. cellanea associated with this encroachment. A lump of coal won’t be enough, • If he were a man, there would be no Some examples from recent years: To make up for the shine and fluff. reindeer because they would all be • As a result of the European- So here’s a scoop of reindeer poop, dead, gutted, and strapped to the rear Union mandated European gender To offset all the Christmas goop! bumper of the sleigh. And Blitzen’s legislation, Woolworths depart- We receive Christmas cards that warn: “The rack would already be on the way to ment store and other retail outlets world is full of two kinds of people—those the taxidermist. must all stock “Mother Christmas” who believe in Santa Claus and Communists!” Although many of the Santa-related outfits and costumes to avoid being Another favorite: “Money’s short, times are things I receive are sent as good-natured to- taken to court over sex discrimina- hard, here’s your F—n Christmas Card.” I kens of dissent with my family’s position, I tion.2 have even discovered notes attached to my am frequently amazed at the animosity that is • Russia has developed an car which read: “Don’t mess with Santa! fostered by my feeble attempts to redirect the “Anti-Claus” movement arguing Signed, The Elves.” Christmastime focus from Santa Claus to that the American Santa Claus is re- In what I am sure are well-intentioned Jesus Christ. placing “Grandfather Frost”—a acts of charity, anonymous donors have plump figure who wears a large rented Santas to appear on my doorstep on Y journey toward becoming a golden sash, wears a hat like the bearing gifts from Santa for Santa dissenter began one old czars, and traditionally brings my children. One of my junior high school M Christmas Eve on a cobblestone gifts to Russian children—and ru- teachers sent me a note calling me a “fat- street in a small German village. I looked up ining Russian culture by replacing head,” others have used the less-creative in the sky and watched the snowflakes gently indigenous traditions with a capi- “jerk,” and I’ve received plenty of “shame on dance toward the earth. This was my first talist image: “unbridled con- you” messages. Christmas away from home. Perhaps a com- sumerism and shop-’til-you-drop doctrines.” Leaders of the move- L. KAY GILLESPIE is professor of sociology and chair of the criminal justice department at Weber ment were at that time scheduling State University in Ogden, Utah. Because of his annual “Anti-Claus Lecture,” he has received presti- an “anti-Santa Claus Festival” and gious awards such as radio station FM X-96’s “Boner of the Day” award and the Ogden Standard their own website—Grandfather Examiner’s “Santa’s Naughty List.” Frost v. Santa Claus.3

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• The Supreme Court has ruled dren as well as of maidens, lovers, mer- teresting descriptions include: that the is not a reli- chants, sailors, robbers, and prostitutes. • He is the god of peasants and gious symbol and can, therefore, be Nicholas is a real, historical character who common people. displayed in schools, government derived his reputation by giving to the needy • He is portrayed as an elderly buildings, and other publicly and saving three daughters of a poor man man, jovial and friendly, owned venues.4 from prostitution by throwing gold coins heavily built with a long, • In Medford, Oregon, one man into their windows in order to provide a white beard. has decorated his front lawn with dowry for each. The Germans celebrate St. • His element is the fire; his an image of Santa roasting the Nicholas on his name day, 6 December, by color, red. on a rotisserie. Neighbors giving candy and small gifts to children. • The sound of thunder is complain it is too R-rated for an • Sinter Klaas. In Protestant Holland, the attributed to his rolling outdoor light display.5 Dutch, attempting to humanize and make St. chariot. • In New Zealand, a young boy Nicholas less Catholic (but keep the tradi- • His chariot is drawn by two threatened Santa that if he didn’t tion) have created Sinter Klaas, “a stern . . . white goats named bring him a computer, he would but kindly man who dressed in a bishop’s Cracker and Gnasher. blow up the chimney.6 gown and miter to leave presents in the • He lives in the “North Land.” wooden shoes of good little boys and girls • He is known as the God. S I have studied and observed the each December 6.”7 Sinter Klaas came to • The fireplace in each home is secularization of the Christmas cele- New York (New Amsterdam) with the Dutch sacred, and Thor is said to bration, I have felt compelled to ex- settlers of the seventeenth century. But he come down the chimney into A 8 pose several Santa Claus myths that people underwent a complete transformation as his element, the fire. use to rationalize or justify their use of situa- English settlers moved into the New York It’s easy to see how Santa Claus could be tional ethics in bringing Santa Claus into the area and their children envied the Dutch manufactured out of such a myth. He was celebration designated for remembering the children’s gifts and goodies obtained from made even more visible by Clement Clark birth of the Son of God. Sinter Klaas. The idea of celebrating a Moore’s 1822 illustrated story, A Visit From St. Catholic bishop was not acceptable to them. Nicholas (now known more commonly as MYTH 1. “There really was a Santa Claus.” Neither was the celebration of ancient ’Twas the Night Before Christmas), the first tex- Catholic name days. Thus, they completely tual and visual description of our modern SANTA CLAUS IS a creation of anti-Catholic, overhauled the image and persona to create Santa Claus. His appearance heralded the pro-commercial, interests. It is a myth (even “Santa Claus,” who more closely resembles modern celebrations of Christmas as we a lie) to believe or teach that the pagan god Thor. Some of Thor’s more in- know them. By comparison, in the Santa ever existed. He is not Kris U.S. of 1776, there were no Kringle (the Christ Child), St. Christmas trees, no Christmas cards, Nicholas (the Bishop of ), and the holiday was not universally or any of the other historical per- accepted as legitimate. It was actually sons he has been identified with. banned in many communities, and He is a creation of capitalist in- much of the opposition was based on terests promoted to sell objects religious grounds. Christmas services of consumption. reported in the New York Times for 26 Santa Claus has evolved from December 1885 stated: a smorgasbord of pagan figures, The churches of the fancied imagination, and reli- Presbyterians, Baptists and gious bigotry. For centuries, Methodists were not open European countries have cele- on December 25, except brated some characters—real where some Mission and imaginary—as part of tradi- Schools had a celebration. tional holidays and religious ser- They do not accept the day vices. Among these are: as a Holy one, but the • Odin, the Norse God, Episcopalian, Catholic and who wears a white beard and German Churches were all rides a horse-drawn chariot open. Inside they were through the sky. decked with evergreens.9 • Kris Kringle, who was Other significant dates in our brought to the New World by the modern celebration of Santa Claus in- “Pennsylvania Dutch” and de- clude: rives the name from the German 1866—Thomas Nast’s phrase for Christ child, Christ drawing of Santa Kindle. Claus appears in the • St. Nicholas, the Catholic 29 December 1886 Bishop of Myra (meaning Harper’s Weekly. Myrrh), the patron saint of chil- 1875—Christmas cards are

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introduced in America by Christmas Tree. “Learn not the way of the corner tavern and tell my father to Louis Prang of Boston heathen . . . for the customs of the people are come home for dinner before he 1882—Utah legally recognizes vain; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, spent his Christmas bonus. When I Christmas as a holiday the work of hands of the workman, with the walked into the tavern, there was 1897—Francis Church, editorial axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; my father and Santa—the one from writer for the New York Sun, they fasten it with nails and with hammers that department store—in the receives a letter from Virginia that it move not” (Jeremiah 10:2–4). It has middle of the barroom throwing O’Hanlon asking, “Is there a been suggested that the followers of Nimrod punches at each other. I’ll bet not Santa Claus?” His answer [the anti-Christ] hung round ornaments rep- many kids ever saw their father and contains the now ubiquitous, resenting eggs on their evergreen trees to Santa Claus duking it out “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa symbolize the fertility granted by their pagan Christmas Eve.12 Claus.” God.11 And, who can forget the Santa Claus scene in 1920—Emergence of commercial . Holly berries were used anciently the movie Christmas Story where the little boy influence on the Christmas as symbols of sexuality—representing fer- visits Santa and is thrown down the chute? celebration.10 Also marks the tility, the propagation of life. The wreath Additionally, it is suggested that the con- arrival of “Rudolph, the Red- shape was in honor of the sun’s orbit, the cept of Santa creates strains and irrational Nosed Reindeer,” sung by reappearance of which was celebrated with buying by parents who feel guilty because of Gene Autry. the winter solstice. the time they have spent away from their chil- Not only have pagan and Santa symbols dren during the past year: “More parents MYTH 2. Santa Claus represents permeated our modern-day Christmas cele- spending time at work and fewer spending the spirit of Christ. bration, but Santa has become deified. Some time with children” creates “working parent people are deeply moved by depictions of guilt. . . . The result: Feeling contrite at time AS A SYMBOLIC rather than historical Santa kneeling at the manger, present at the stolen from parenting, being more capable fi- figure, Santa Claus is the antithesis of Christ. birth of Christ, and sold in some areas are de- nancially, working parents will overindulge It is an exaggeration and a charade to pretend pictions of Santa nailed to the cross. their children, in an effort to assuage their own that modern Santa Claus symbols have any- Furthermore, the concepts of omnipresence guilt.” In ads, toymakers exploit this guilt.13 thing to do with the birth of Christ. They are and omniscience, generally accepted as at- Unrealistic expectations regarding Santa mostly pagan in origin, and their meanings tributes of God, are now attributed to Santa: Claus create feelings of depression, disap- are far from appropriate for a celebration of “He sees you when you’re sleeping; he knows pointment, and general dissatisfaction that Christ’s birth. To exemplify this, compare the when you’re awake. . . .” cause many people to be unhappy during the following: Christmas holidays (holy days!). Many hol- MYTH 3. Santa is part of a healthy iday depressions adults experience can be fantasy world for children, and there traced to overindulgence at Christmastime, is no harm in it as myth. indulgences which stop as children get older HRIST ANTA (SATAN?) and Santa no longer showers them with C S IT MAY NOT be harmful for chil- gifts—the magic has worn off. dren to have an element of the Children, too, often become de- WHITE = Purity RED = Sin “make-believe” in their lives, but pressed because they overbuild ex- when we as parents and adults pectations in advance. Fantasies ATTITUDE: Giving ATTITUDE: Getting teach fantasy, we usually make sure cannot match reality, no matter (ask children) children understand it as such. how wonderful the day may be, 14 HONESTY LYING AND DECEPTION: With Santa, however, we don’t do and disappointment follows. (“There is a Santa Claus”) this. We teach that he is real and Sometimes children are set up by the make up lies and rationalizations to Santa myth and must make major adjust- SPIRITUALITY WORLDLINESS, perpetuate these lies. ments when things change unexpectedly in consumerism, materialism Indeed, some people trace early their lives. I received the following letter: GIVING GIVING TO BE SEEN: fears and phobias to a belief in Dear Dr. Gillespie: anonymously (“To ___, From ___”) Santa Claus. A newspaper reporter Five years ago, shortly before recalls one of his colleagues who graduating, . . I came to hear your REJOICING DEPRESSION and suicide had a fear of Santa dating back to lecture. At first, I was annoyed and COOPERATION COMPETITION one of his childhood experiences: angered. Santa had been part of my We went to see Santa on childhood, and I recalled a sense of SYMBOLS: SYMBOLS: Christmas Eve at a local being part of the grown-up world, star tree department store. I an intimacy of shared secrets, when manger holly thought something was I discovered that Santa wasn’t shepherd’s crook kind of strange about him “real.” because his leg kept col- Six months later, when I faced lapsing and the kids an unexpected divorce, I had no The origin and stories of common would slide off onto the floor. Then idea that lecture would be part of Christmas symbols also betray their place as later, when we got home, my helping me and my children adjust far removed from the purpose of Christmas: mother told me to run down to the to a new life.

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By Christmas of that year, I real- ized so much had changed, and my whole perception of life was dif- ferent. The old traditions also had HY WOULD ANY CHRISTIAN to be re-thought. My children had PARENTS CHOOSE TO BEGIN already been debunked of a number of myths as they and I their relationship with their children faced a very sober reality. At W  Christmas, I recalled your lecture with a lie called Santa Claus, and realized they deserve the truth especially if they want their children to believe at all times, not just sometimes. Children of divorce, children of them when they teach them about Jesus Christ the homeless, the poor, and the un- employed—these are the ones that and a Father in Heaven? know the reality of Santa and the harm that can come from such pre- tenses. they had been telling the truth tree and place them in a vase of water. Sometimes My own research conducted along Utah’s • I felt like they weren’t honest they tie to the twig the names of loved ones or others Wasatch Front shows an interesting connec- with me for whom they have a special wish. As Christmas Day approaches, the buds on these twigs begin to swell tion between parent-child trust and the and burst into full bloom (blossoms and leaves) teaching of and belief in Santa Claus. In HERE is tremendous social pressure around 24 or 25 December, just in time to match the questionnaires given to high school students, for parents to teach the existence of celebration of the birth of Christ. I found that while almost all had been taught Santa and, in so doing, to avoid . Churches in many countries begin their T Christmas celebrations four Sundays before 25 by their parents there was a Santa, when they having their children ostracized or excluded learned he didn’t exist, it came not from their because of their non-belief. As I mentioned December. These four “advents” are preparatory cele- brations, during which portions of the Christmas parents but rather from friends and teachers. above, I have neighbors who refuse to allow story are read from scripture. An with I followed this question by asking from their children to play with mine during four candles—three read and one white—is kept in whom they first found out about sex? Drugs? Christmas because mine don’t believe in homes. One candle is lit each Sunday, with the last And I then asked, “Taking everything you Santa Claus. I am certainly not asked to one, the white one, lit on the final Sunday before have been told about drugs and sex, who speak or participate in Church meetings Christmas Day. seemed to be the most truthful?” In each in- during December for fear that I might ruin 2. See ayanova.com/business/story/sm_431696 stance, the high school students in my Christmas for the children in the ward. There .html. (Accessed 29 October 2001). 3. Drawn from transcript of “Morning Edition,” sample had learned more about sex and have been threats to burn crosses on my lawn NPR Radio, 7 January 2002. This same kind of move- drugs from friends and “others” than they because of my outspoken criticism of the ment got started in Austria with the Pro- had from their parents. They also indicated Santa myth and the culture of deceit that sur- Society for a “contemplative Christmas,” a program that the most truthful information about rounds it. aimed at promoting an Austrian traditional Christmas these subjects came from friends, teachers, Yet even though I don’t recommend my rather than an American Santa Claus one. They and others, not parents. activist approach to Santa dissent for caused such a reaction among Americans that they ended up apologizing in an “Open Letter to America.” I’m sure I can not lay all of the “what’s everyone, I am continually amazed that 4. Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 US 668 (1984). wrong with this picture?” trip at the feet of people assume that anyone against Santa 5. “Grinches Roasting on an Open Fire—in Santa Claus. But I find it to be an interesting must be anti-Christmas. Is it blasphemous to Front Yard,” Ogden Standard Examiner, 12 December comparison and wonder about the extent to celebrate the life and birth of Christ at a time 2001. which children learn, at an early age, how set aside for such celebration? Is the assump- 6. Taken from a news report 21 December 1989, honest their parents will be with them. Why tion correct that children cannot appreciate notes in my possession. 7. James T. Baker, “,” Courier would any Christian parents choose to begin the meaning of Christ’s birth without adding Journal, 21 December 1980, 22. their relationship with their children with a Santa Claus into the mix so they can truly 8. A good source for the material on Thor is: H. lie called Santa Claus, especially if they want enjoy Christmas? Is it ridiculous to want to A. Guerber, Myths of the Northern Lands, vol. 1, (New their children to believe them when they be consistently honest with our children? York: American Book Co., 1895), 61ff. teach them about Jesus Christ and a Father in Maybe it is time that each of us individually 9. James H. Barrett, The American Christmas: A Heaven? When asked about their feelings reassesses what we believe, why we believe it, Study in National Culture (New York: Macmillan, upon finding there is no Santa, some of these and how it applies to our celebration of 1954), 8. 10. Kenneth L. Woodward, “Christmas Wasn’t young people responded as follows: Christmas. Born Here, Just Invented,” Newsweek, 16 December • [My parents] disappointed me 1996, 71. • I’m less excited about Christmas, NOTES 11. Anne Wilde, The True Origin behind Christmas hurt (Salt Lake City: Pioneer Press, 1986), 12. • It was a big let-down; it ruined 1. Many cultures do a much better job of keeping 12. Mike Royko, “Little Children Drive Santa to Christmas the Christmas season’s focus on Christ’s birth—that the Sauce,” Chicago Sun-Times. the season should be a time of anticipation and spir- 13. Berkeley Rice, “Ho, Ho, Ho Children—Here • They appeared [ridiculous] going tual preparation. Two of my favorite practices are: comes Guilta Claus,” Psychology Today, April 1, 1981. to all that trouble St. Barbara’s Twigs. According to an old Bavarian 14. “‘Demands of Season’ Lead to Increase in • I felt that I had been betrayed custom, on 4 December, the name day for St. Barbara, Suicides,” Ogden Standard Examiner, 20 December • I was upset because I thought families cut twigs from the forsythia shrub or cherry 1981.

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