In the early Middle Ages and onward for several centuries, there was no talk of Saint Nicholas (aside from the Church) or some other Santa Claus figure. However there was the embodiment of Christmas that rose and faded in popularity over the years: Father Christmas. He would also be known as Captain Christmas, Lord Christmas, and similar titles. He usually was part of various productions and plays, representing the merriment of the winter celebrations. He encouraged feasting, drinking, and otherwise being full of good cheer.
However, there were times when the Church would attempt to shut him out. In their zeal to separate from the world and sinful pleasures, they outlawed Christmas when they could since many people would use the celebrations as an excuse to drink themselves into drunkenness and participate in many activities which were horribly un-Christian. They also viewed Father Christmas and the festivities as distractions from Church services and/or Mass. Naturally, people outside the Puritan movement fought back, portraying Father Christmas as a fellow who had done no wrong in himself, but it was the fault of the people for such horrid deeds.
In the 18th century, or 1700's, very little is commented on Christmas traditions, but less Father Christmas. However though little is said, there is enough evidence that the jolly old gentleman’s reputation was being restored.
It was the 1800's that started to give people a clearer image of Father Christmas. He was associated with “Merry Old England” and said to have visited homes alongside his great family. He was viewed as exceedingly generous and full of good cheer. In fact Charles Dickens captures his image fairly well in his portrayal of The Ghost of Christmas Present. Father Christmas once again made appearances in plays. In some places he was portrayed as a hunchback, sometimes in the later part of the century, he was even given the appearance of a crippled soldier.
It wasn’t until the Victorian era that Father Christmas started to be seen as a gift giver for children. All the years before this he was only for the adults and their Christmas feasts. But now, he was starting to be seen as a friend of children.
Now, here is where we start to see some of the traditions we are accustomed to. The kids hang their stockings by the chimney, though whether their usual stockings or specially made, I’m not entirely sure. They left out some food and a drink for Father Christmas, although instead of cookies and milk, it was mince pies and brandy. And as so happens even in these days, those treats disappeared somehow in the middle of the night, mostly likely with the help of one or both parents. From my understanding of what I found, during this time Father Christmas only filled the stockings with toys and treats, not put presents under the tree. At least not yet.
It was in the 1820's that we were granted one of the most famous descriptions of Father Christmas. “A Visit From St. Nicholas” also known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” introduced the eight famous reindeer and offered what was going to become the description of the modern Santa Claus.
Well, see you next time to have a look at the “traditional” Santa Claus.
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