Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas in Christmas Folklore
A historical note traces Christmas origins from pagan solstice rites to Christian celebration. It explains Saint Nicholas as bishop of Myra, aiding the Christ child in some regions, with devils and angels guiding children through a December 6 visit. Krampus, Clas, and Joseph appear as regional frightful figures in various locales.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Claus
Hank Heaven
America
St. Nicholas
Criss Cringle
England
Christ Kindieiu
Christ Child
Dionysus
Bacchus
Silenus
Saturn
Thor
Sirenus
Christ
Nicholas
Europe
Myra
Hitech
Bishop
Dus Sulte
St. Nichola
Ife
Lower Austria
Krampus
Hanover
Holstein
Meckenburg
Clas
Silesia
Joseph
Christmas Eve in Brittany The Little Carol Sitgrs
A vivid late nineteenth century view of Brittany shows stark poverty and customs on Christmas Eve. It notes scarce meat, a dreary diet of soggy black bread and sardines, guarded trees, and that children wear worn garments while aid comes from the rectory.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brittany
Brithany
Wwileh
Sion
Huutte
Morning of Christ's Nativity in a fractured verse
Fragmentary verse recalls the nativity with phrases about the Son of heaven the Virgin Mary and the sages. It references redemption peace and divine majesty while musing on heaven’s council and the mortal realm. The text blends archaic language with garbled imagery.
German Santa Clauses and Befana Across Europe
A New York Herald excerpt explains Christmas figures across Europe. It details a masked youth in Germany and Austria performing religious rites with angels and devils, the Budeltrau in Lower Austria, the Berehtel in Swabia, and the female bogie traditions in Russia and Italy. It notes Befana as a form of Epiphany gift giver.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Germany
Austria
Lower Austria
New York Herald
The Sacred Bough Mistletoe in Ancient Festivities
A historical note on mistletoe’s shift from a sacred ritual of Druids to a Christmas emblem. It describes December rites, priestly processions, heralds of the New Year, and offerings of bread wine water and ivory wand to invoke healing and justice as the people seek the mystic plant.
Christmas Tree Myth Told To Springfield Children
Clara Louise Burnham narrates a Christmas poem and retells a French tale of a knight who sees a fir tree with candles and a child on top. The story explains that candles upright signify good deeds while upside down ones reflect bad acts, warning children to strive for upright, bright flames on the next tree.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clara Louise Burnham
Chilldren
Whateau
Ife
Springfield
Christmas Jingles and the Season of Unrest
A fragmented reflection on Christmas shopping and desire appears in a 19th century style, noting the futility of wishful gifting. The piece cites a Washington dollar quote and a Chicago News line about scaring Santa and adult life, with a line from the Chicago Journal about hopeful human belief in Christmas gifts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Elaborate Indian Funerals and Southwest Tribes Customs
The piece surveys varied Indian burial rites across Southwest tribes. It notes Pima, Navajo, Topi, Apache, Fula, Coahuilla, Yuma, Ute, Gosh Ute, Mojave, Kei ta, and Karek practices including burials, cremations, platform graves, cave interments, tree or water burial, grave markers, mourning rites, and post funeral customs. It highlights beliefs about souls, spirit journeys, and tribal rules on naming the dead and memory practices. The account reflects a mosaic of ritual forms with emphasis on mystery, ritual specificity, and community observances.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hatever
Guinstance
Los Angeles Times
Southwest
California
Gunda
Coahuilla
Colorado Desert
Utah
Great Salt Desert
Skull Valley
New, York
Afa bilization of the Staff headlines Tokio paper
Buyers bought extra editions with the bold headline claiming staff enlargement. The star of the paper was the paper itself, meant to boost demand for news as circulation rose amid sales pressure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tokio
Star
Also Mentioned on This Page
Milton
Dhe
Liv Ny
Ta Jan Vainter
Vis
Chicago News
Chicago Journal
Tie
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Strangs
Pima
Coahuillos
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