It’s hard to imagine a more unlikely story and yet billions of people perpetuate it every year. Australians will spend up to $1500 per person this year. Globally, we are pretty invested in this myth.
Santa’s story is short – we don’t know much about what happens outside the Christmas period. We don’t know how he came to do this job or got his legendary ability to stretch space and time.
The fact that his story is weak tells us the real story is how he impacts our lives.
Contrary to popular belief, he was not invented by Coca Cola. The first written mention of Santa Claus was in 1773 but even in Tudor England a legendary man in green gave out presents in winter. His origins mix of Christian (Saint Nicholas) with pagan (Woden) – and now commercial (eg flights to Lapland ).
We keep stories that are useful, so how is Santa useful to us?
- Brings cheer, hope and colour in a dark cold winter
- A formalised opportunity to show our love and appreciation
- A way to control unruly kids
- Legitimised hedonism
- Links to the most important date in the Christian calendar
- Creates huge profits
- Perpetuates childhood innocence in corrupting world
- Creates a sense of wonder for all.
