The other day I retrieved the Christmas tree from the garage and set it up on a coffee table in front of a picture window. It's a small four foot tree with colored lights, and it is pretty puny compared to the elaborate decorations of some of my neighbors. However, I think it is adequate to visually celebrate the spirit of Christmas. The origin of the lighted tree is obscure, but of course the use of an evergreen tree dates back to the yule log, which was traditionally used to build a fire on Christmas eve. The word 'yule' dates back to the pagan festival to celebrate the winter solstice. I can remember when candles were used before electric bulbs were available, and we had to be very careful to avoid a fire. Even today, Christmas candles pose a fire hazard, and many homes are destroyed as a result of carelessness.
Another Christmas tradition is Santa Claus, which is a contraction of Saint Nickolas. He is supposed to be a white bearded, jolly old man who lives at the north pole and makes toys for children. Just how he became a saint is unclear. He has become the mystical symbol as the giver of gifts to those who are nice rather than naughty. The Saint Nicholas of Europe, however, is not a jolly old Santa, but is a stern ogre who punishes those who are naughty. Regardless of the motivation toward good behavior, it seems that parents are prone to use Santa as a means of behavior modification. Otherwise, it is not clear just why it is necessary to deceive and prey upon a child's natural proclivity to fantasize. Someone has described the four ages of man as: stage one - you believe in Santa; stage two - you don't believe in Santa; stage three - you play Santa; and stage four - you look like Santa. Children see presents appear mysteriously under the tree during the night, and they are sure Santa has been there. Later, children see their parents buying Christmas gifts and realize that there really is no Santa. Later on, Dad plays Santa to perpetuate the myth, and finally the old man resembles Santa.
The Santa syndrome seems to be common in all cultures, so there must be something in the human psyche that yearns for a beneficent giver of gifts, someone who loves us even when we're naughty and wants to make us happy. That Person is revealed in the Bible and in the life of Christ as the most loving, generous. and kind gift Giver of all, He is described as the Giver of every good and perfect gift and as the Father of lights. It is sad that Santa has supplanted the Father of us all, and that children write adoring letters to Santa instead of to their Father in heaven or to Jesus Christ, the namesake of Christmas. So, as we are emotionally involved in the wonderful, magical world of gifts, lighted trees, visions of sugar plums, let us not forget the Father of lights as we indulge in the "Santa syndrome."
