Excerpt from Josiah King's The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas (1686), published shortly after Christmas was reinstated as a holy day in England Father Christmas is the name used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and several other Commonwealth countries, for the gift-bringing figure of Christmas or Yuletide. The same figure with the same name exists in other countries (in that country's language), such as France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Although the terms Father Christmas and Santa Claus are often used synonymously nowadays, historically the characters were different. The use of 'Santa' in preference to 'Father Christmas' may be thought of as an Americanism. Image File history File links FatherChristmastrial. ...
Image File history File links FatherChristmastrial. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Headquarters Marlborough House, London Leaders - Queen Elizabeth II - Secretary-General Don McKinnon (since 1999) - Ransford Smith Establishment - as British Commonwealth 1926 - as the Commonwealth 1949 Membership 53 sovereign states Website thecommonwealth. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
Yule is the winter solstice Blót (celebration) in Asatru, the pagan practices of the Germanic peoples prior to the arrival of Christianity. ...
A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...
Synonyms (in ancient Greek syn συν = plus and onoma όνομα = name) are different words with similar or identical meanings. ...
History The symbolic personification of Christmas as a merry old figure begins in the early 17th century, in the context of resistance to Puritan criticism of observation of the Christmas feast. He is 'old' because of the antiquity of the feast itself, which its defenders saw as a good old Christian custom that should be kept. Allegory was popular at the time, and so 'old Christmas' was given a voice to protest his exclusion, along with the form of a rambunctious, jolly old man. For the record label, see Puritan Records. ...
An allegory (from Greek αλλος, allos, other, and αγοÏευειν, agoreuein, to speak in public) is a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than (and in addition to) the literal. ...
The earliest recorded personification of Christmas appears to be Ben Jonson's creation in Christmas his Masque[1] dating from December 1616, in which Christmas appears "attir'd in round Hose, long Stockings, a close Doublet, a high crownd Hat with a Broach, a long thin beard, a Truncheon, little Ruffes, white shoes, his Scarffes, and Garters tyed crosse", and announces "Why Gentlemen, doe you know what you doe? ha! would you ha'kept me out? Christmas, old Christmas?" Later, in a masque by Thomas Nabbes, The Springs Glorie produced in 1638, 'Christmas' appears as 'an old reverend gentleman in furred gown and cap'. Benjamin Jonson (circa June 11, 1572 – August 6, 1637) was an English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor. ...
The character continued to appear over the next 250 years, appearing as Sir Christmas, Lord Christmas, or Father Christmas, the latter becoming the most common. A book dating from the time of the Commonwealth, The Vindication of CHRISTMAS or, His Twelve Yeares' Observations upon the Times, involved 'Old Christmas' advocating a merry, alcoholic Christmas and casting aspersions on the charitable motives of the ruling Puritans. The Puritans were members of a group of radical Protestants which developed in England after the Reformation. ...
The traditional Father Christmas was neither a gift bringer, nor associated with children. However, during the Victorian era, when Santa Claus arrived from America, he was merged with the character called "Sir Christmas", "Lord Christmas" or "Old Father Christmas" to create Father Christmas, the British Santa which survives today. Nowadays, most Britons use the expressions Father Christmas and Santa Claus as synonyms. Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her Ascension to the Throne, 20 June 1837) gave her name to the historic era The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British industrial revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ...
A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...
A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...
Synonyms (in ancient Greek syn συν = plus and onoma όνομα = name) are different words with similar or identical meanings. ...
Father Christmas in literature Father Christmas is the only character who appears with the same name in fiction by both of those two famous friends, C.S. Lewis (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), and J.R.R. Tolkien (The Father Christmas Letters). Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963), commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis, was an Irish author and scholar. ...
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis. ...
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE (January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973) was an English philologist, writer and university professor, best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. ...
The Father Christmas Letters is a collection of letters written by Father Christmas to J.R.R Tolkiens children. ...
Father Christmas is the name of a song originally written and performed by The Kinks, in which the narrator, dressed as a drugstore Santa, is accosted by a gang of young thugs. The Kinks were an English rock group formed in 1963 by lead singer-songwriter Ray Davies and his brother, lead guitarist and vocalist, Dave Davies, with bassist Pete Quaife. ...
Names in various countries The term 'Father Christmas' is used in translation in many countries: 'Father Christmas' (and in some cases baby Jesus) is used in preference to 'Santa' in Afghanistan ("Baba Chaghaloo"), Albania ("Babadimri"), Armenia ("Gaghant Baba"), Brazil ("Papai Noel"), Bulgaria ("Dyado Koleda"), Cornwall ("Tas Nadelik"), Chile (Viejo Pascuero), Denmark ("Julemanden"), Egypt ("Papa Noël"), Finland ("Joulupukki"), France and French Canada ("le Père Noël"), Germany ("Weihnachtsmann" or "Nikolaus"),Greece "Άγιος Βασίλης-Άyos Vasílis" Hungary ("Mikulás"), Iran ("Baba Noel"), Ireland ("Daidí na Nollag"), Italy ("Babbo Natale"), Latvia ("Ziemassvētku vecītis"), Lithuania ("Kalėdų Senelis"),Macedonia ("Dedo Mraz"),Malta ("San Niklaw"), Mexico ("El Niñito Dios" ("Child God", meaning Jesus)), Norway ("Julenissen"), Poland ("Święty Mikołaj"), Portugal ("Pai Natal"), Romania ("Moş Crăciun"), Russia ("Ded Moroz"), Scottish Highlands ("Daidaín na Nollaig"), Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Božić Bata"), South Africa ("Vader Kersfees"), Spain and some of Spanish-speaking Latin America ("Papá Noel" or "San Nicolás" or "Santa Claus" ), Sweden ("Jultomten"), Turkey ("Noel Baba"), the United Kingdom ("Father Christmas"), and Danbury, CT ("Father Cole"). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Cornwall (Cornish: ) is a county in South West England, United Kingdom, on the peninsula that lies to the west of the River Tamar and Devon. ...
Joulupukki is the Finnish name for Santa Claus. ...
This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
Basil (ca. ...
In the culture of the eastern Slavs the traditional character Ded Moroz (Russian: ) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. ...
The Scottish Highlands are the mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. ...
Anthem Serbia() on the European continent() Capital (and largest city) Belgrade Official languages Serbian language 1 Recognised regional languages Hungarian, Croatian, Slovak, Romanian, Rusyn 2 Albanian, English 3 Government Parliamentary republic - President Boris Tadić - Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica Establishment - Formation 8th century - Independence c. ...
Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...
Nickname: The Hat City Located in Fairfield County, Connecticut Coordinates: Counties Fairfield County Mayor Mark Boughton (R) Area - City 44. ...
See also Joulupukki is the Finnish name for Santa Claus. ...
In the culture of the eastern Slavs the traditional character Ded Moroz (Russian: ) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. ...
A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...
This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
Basil (ca. ...
Notes
External links | | | Main Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
| History • The Nativity • Bringers of gifts • Decorations • Economics • Customs • Arts and media
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
| | Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ...
| Nativity of Jesus • Nativity scene • Jesus • Mary • Joseph • Archangel Gabriel • Three Wise Men • Adoration of the shepherds • Star of Bethlehem • King Herod • Massacre of the Innocents • Saint Nicholas Day • Twelfth Night • Epiphany (Christian) • Advent • Christmastide
Adoration of the Shepherds (1535-40), by Florentine Mannerist painter Agnolo Bronzino Nativity windows at Trinity Church, Boston, designed by Edward Burne-Jones and executed by William Morris, 1882 The Nativity of Jesus, or simply the Nativity, is the account of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...
A traditional nativity scene from Naples, Italy A nativity scene, also called a crib or crèche (meaning crib or manger in French) generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus. ...
This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ...
According to the New Testament, Mary (Judeo-Aramaic מרי×, MaryÄm, from Hebrew Miriam) was the mother of Jesus of Nazareth; at the time of his conception she was betrothed (or engaged) to Joseph and was a virgin. ...
For other uses, see Saint Joseph (disambiguation). ...
12th-century icon of Archangel Gabriel from Novgorod In Abrahamic religions, Gabriel (גַּבְרִי×ֵל, Standard Hebrew Gavriʼel, Latin Gabrielus, Greek , Tiberian Hebrew Gaḇrîʼēl, Arabic جبريل JibrÄ«l or Jibrail, literally Master, of God, i. ...
Three Kings, or Three Wise Men redirects here. ...
Anbetung der Hirten (Adoration of the Shepherds) by Carlo Crivelli (1490) The Adoration of the shepherds, in Christian iconography, is a scene in which shepherds are near witnesses to the birth of Jesus, at his birthplace, typically depicted as a barn, near Bethlehem. ...
Adoration of the Magi by Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337). ...
Hordes (Hebrew: הוֹרְדוֹס, ; Greek: , ; trad. ...
The Holy Innocents by Giotto di Bondone. ...
Saint Nicholas (Greek: , Agios Nikolaos, victory of the people) is the common name for Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (in modern day Antalya province, Turkey), who had a reputation for secret gift-giving, but is now commonly identified with Santa Claus. ...
Twelfth Night is a holiday in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany, or Twelfth Day, and is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the evening of the 5 January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany. In some traditions it is taken to mean...
The Wise Men (Magi) adoring the infant Jesus. ...
Advent (from the Latin Adventus, implicitly coupled with Redemptoris, the coming of the Saviour) is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, also known as the season of Christmas. ...
The Christmas season is a term that covers the time when two interconnected periods of celebration are held. ...
| | Folklore Folklore is the body of expressive culture, including tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs, material culture, and so forth within a particular population comprising the traditions (including oral traditions) of that culture, subculture, or group. ...
| Father Christmas • Saint Nicholas • Santa Claus • Mrs. Claus • Santa Claus' reindeer • Rudolph • Elves • North Pole • Lapland • Rovaniemi • Frosty the Snowman • How The Grinch Stole Christmas • Ebenezer Scrooge • Other characters
Saint Nicholas (Greek: , Agios Nikolaos, victory of the people) is the common name for Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (in modern day Antalya province, Turkey), who had a reputation for secret gift-giving, but is now commonly identified with Santa Claus. ...
A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...
Mrs. ...
Santa Claus reindeer are a team of reindeer which pull his sleigh and help him deliver Christmas gifts. ...
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a popular Christmas story about Santa Claus ninth and lead reindeer who possesses an unusually power of destuction that gives off its own light that is powerful enough to illuminate the teams path through anal cavities. ...
A small forest elf (älva) rescuing an egg, from Solägget (1932), by Elsa Beskow An elf is a mythical creature of Germanic mythology and Germanic paganism which still survives in northern European folklore. ...
For other uses, see North Pole (disambiguation). ...
National anthem Sámi soga lávlla Languages Sami, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Russian Area ca. ...
City Rovaniemi (1960) Administrative Province Province of Lapland Historical Province Laponia Area - Total - Land - Water Ranked 5th (municipalities), and 1st (cities) 8,016 km² 7,601 km² 415 km² Population - Total (01/2006) - Density Ranked 13th 58,500 7. ...
Frosty the Snowman is a popular Christmas song written by Steve Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson in 1950. ...
The Grinch is a popular cartoon character created by Dr. Seuss. ...
Ebenezer Scrooge encounters Ignorance and Want in A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in Charles Dickens 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol. ...
| | Traditions | Twelve Days of Christmas • Christmas tree • Wassailing • Yule log • Stockings • Ornaments • Lights • Plants • Food • Feasts • Events • Traditions by country: Philippine, Polish, Worldwide
The Twelve Days of Christmas and the associated evenings of those twelve days (Twelve-tide), are the festive days beginning the evening of Christmas Day (December 25) through the morning of Epiphany on (January 6). ...
A Christmas tree from 1900. ...
This does not cite its references or sources. ...
A chocolate yule log. ...
Stockings hung by the chimney with care A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children in the United States and some other cultures hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, or other small gifts when he...
Christmas bauble (called a Christmas ball in American English Christmas ornaments are decorations (usually made of glass, metal, wood or ceramics) that are used to festoon a Christmas tree. ...
Section of a string of Christmas lights Christmas lights (also sometimes called fairy lights, twinkle lights or holiday lights in the United States) are strands of electric lights used to decorate homes, public/commercial buildings and Christmas trees during the Christmas season, mostly in the West. ...
This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
| | Media | Fiction • Films • Plays • Television: Episodes, Specials • Music: Albums, Hit singles and tracks, Carols, Other Christmas music and songs
The following is an incomplete list of Christmas songs (hit singles and tracks) recorded by well known and obscure artists, many of which have hit on various charts around the world. ...
| | Society Young people interacting within an ethnically diverse society. ...
| Christmas controversy • Christmas creep • Christmas truce • Language • Black Friday • White Christmas • Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 • Related holidays • List of winter festivals
Christmas controversy refers to publicized controversy surrounding the public acknowledgement or celebration of the Christmas holiday in media, advertising, government, and various secular environments. ...
Christmas Creep is the commercial phenomenon of merchants advertising for Holiday Specials earlier and earlier every year. ...
A cross, left near Ypres in Belgium in 1999, to commemorate the site of the Christmas Truce in 1914. ...
The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...
White Christmas A white Christmas, to most people in the Northern Hemisphere, refers to snowy weather at Christmas, a phenomenon which is far more common in some countries than in others. ...
The Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 is an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that prevents shops over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft from opening on Christmas Day. ...
List of winter festivals: This is an incomplete list of festivals and holidays that take place during the winter in the northern hemisphere, especially those commemorating the season. ...
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