Paris Marathon Training: Week 3 of 18
Today’s target run: 44 minutes
Today’s completed run : 44 minutes
Well, there are only a few more days to read about (or suffer through as the case may be) German Christmas traditions on the Hachie Gal’s blog. I must confess that I did not know that the world really has Germany to thank for the likeness of Santa that we hold dear to this day.
Essentially, it was Thomas Nast, a young German artist, who created the Christmas illustration which has shaped Americans’ view of Santa Claus that we hold to this day. In December 1862, Nast produced his first Santa drawings for Harper's magazine; however, the figure Nast drew was radically different from the way Santa had been thought of by the public. Up until this time, Santa was often portrayed as short and lean, with a sharp clean-shaven face and looking more like an evil demon than a benevolent gift-giver.
Nast felt that Santa was someone who should be beloved by children - not feared. So, he created the jolly old man of his imagination. He drew a sturdy Santa, wearing a wreath of holly, and smoking a long clay pipe. The Santa envisioned by Nast was almost always smiling, surrounded by a whole herd of reindeer pulling his sleigh. Before that, just one reindeer had usually been shown.
In 1866, Nast produced 20 Christmas scenes for Harper's, giving Santa some of the attributes that have been associated with him since, including:
* the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace for Santa to leave gifts in
* a record book with the names of good and bad children
* a telescope for checking up on the behavior of the children (I must confess, I have never heard of this one – have you?)
* a workshop where Santa and his elves make toys
The drawings were in black-and-white, but when Nast was asked to reproduce them for a later book to be produced in color, he made Santa's suit bright red. From this day forward, Santa Claus has always worn a red suit.
Now, if you’ve read previous posts, you’ll know that in Germany, Christmas gifts are often given by the Christkind or by St, Nikolaus (a forerunner to the evolved Santa Claus.) I get it though…no matter what country you live in, the gift thing figures predominantly…and that I like.
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4 comments:
i have to say, the telescope idea sounds a bit on the creepy side to me...
my
Kinda funny to think that given the mid 1860s, that they were incorporating things as scientific as telescopes into the children's stories. Be kinda like saying today that Santa would read your email or write tap your phone to see if you were a good boy or girl.
When we read different stories from around the world about Christmas at school the kids notice that too-about the gift giving in different ways. Thanks for all the history! I enjoyed it! th
Glad you have enjoyed them. Not sure what I will talk about next Christmas :)
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