Christmas Joys

Many of the modern day Christmas songs, written around themes of Santa Claus, reindeer and bags full of toys started in the Netherlands and Belgium, from Saint Nicolas, “Sinterklaas”, often called “De Goede Sint” - “The Friendly Saint”.

Sinterklass’s annual feast on the 6th of December came to be celebrated in many countries with the giving of gifts. In 16th-17th century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child or Christkindl, and the date of giving gifts changed from December the 6th to December 24th.

In the British colonies of North America, in 1773, Sinterklaas was Americanized into “Santa Claus” while losing his bishops apparel. Nearly 50 years later, in 1821, the book “A New-years present, to the little ones from five to twelve” is published in New York. It contains “Old Santeclaus”, an anonymous poem describing an old man on a reindeer sleigh, bringing presents to children. The poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” (better known today as “The Night Before Christmas”) in the Troy, New York, Sentinel on December 23, 1823 later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore. Many of Santa’s modern day characteristics are established in this poem, such as riding in a sleigh that lands on the roof, entering through the chimney, and having a bag full of toys. St. Nick is described as being “chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf” with “a little round belly”, that “shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly”. The reindeer were also named: “Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem”.

Robert L. May created Rudolph in 1939 as an assignment for Montgomery Ward. The retailer had been buying and giving away coloring books for Christmas every year and it was decided that creating their own book would save money.

Hopefully now you know a little more about the Christmas, and how the foundation of modern day Christmas songs came to be. Christmas songs always have a fun story to tell.

Best Christmas Songs