New Delhi: Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and it is the biggest festival in the Christendom and Western society. The festival is celebrated with much pomp and splendour all over the world involving decorations, exchange of gifts and mouth-watering foods.
Over the years, the festival has been associated with legendary Christmas gift-bearing figures like Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Christkind, and Saint Nicholas who depart for their annual journey to deliver presents to children around the world on Christmas Eve. While Santa Claus has gained popularity, Father Christmas has faded into oblivion and lives today under a different identity.
Who is Father Christmas?
Father Christmas is a legendary figure who personifies Christmas. Even though he is considered a Christmas gift-bringer and synonymous with Santa Claus in today’s age, he was originally part of older English folklore tradition. Father Christmas as we know him today became popular in the late Victorian period, but the personification of Christmas took place much earlier.
How did Father Christmas came into vogue?
In the 15th century, the English personifications of Christmas could been for the first time in the records. Father Christmas appeared for the first time in the mid-17th century after the English Civil War. The English government controlled by the Christmas abolished Christmas and outlawed its traditional outcomes. However, the Royalists adopted the old traditions for their cause and adopted Father Christmas as the symbol of feasting and good cheer. His popularity declined after the Restoration in 1660 and Christmas folk plays maintained his character in the late 18th and into the 19th century.
How did he become the harbinger of gifts?
Father Christmas, till the Victorian Age was regarded as a figure of adult feasting and merry-making. There was no connection between him and the children and he did not give gifts or visit at night to deliver the presents. But Christmas in the later Victorian Age became child-centric family festival and Father Christmas became someone who brought gifts.
How did Father Christmas became synonymous with Santa Claus?
In the 1850s, the American myth of Santa Claus came to England and Father Christmas began to take on the attributes of the former. The new customs became popular by the 1880s with Santa Claus and sometimes Father Christmas both becoming the nocturnal gift-giver. Often, he was shown wearing a red hooded gown with white fur. In the 20th century, the difference between them faded away and in the modern age, Santa Claus and Father Christmas are considered to be synonymous.
This article explores the fascinating history of Father Christmas, a figure often conflated with Santa Claus. Originally an element of English folklore, Father Christmas’s popularity waxed and waned throughout history, tied to political events and changing Christmas celebrations. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
