Santa
December 24th 2006 09:50
I wrote this ages ago, and I was kind of bored so I've posted it here.
I've been thinking about Santa Claus. Not the histrocity of such, but rather the philosophy behind the character himself. It is odd to note that man created in Santa Claus a god. Or at the very least, an anthropromorphic personification (thanks Terry Pratchett). The character of Santa is perhaps best captured in the simple childish song:
You'd better watch out,
You'd better not cry,
You'd better not pout,
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
The first here captures the very primal feeling of fear of a vengeful god. One must be mindful, aware, watching ones own self, to avoid expressing even the slightest amount of discontent towards the order of events. The subject of this song is worthy of such great fear and apprehension, his wrath is obviously terrible. Fearful plebians huddle together, sharing the secret of his dreaded coming.
He knows when you are sleeping,
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!
We are well warned also that this fearful character is omniscient, knowing intimately the state of our day to day affairs. He knows, though we don't know how, our actions and is judging us by them. Yet to this point, we are given no clear reward for acting in a goodly fashion. All we are told is that we should act in such a way for the sake of goodness itself.
But what qualities can we put to this being? He is obviously a judge, and one that must be feared. He is omnipotent, and Good, in that most terrible way. There is no hint of excuse or compromise. Yet also to temper this most severe perception that could be placed upon him is the light and joyful tone of the singing. We are happy, nay, joyful that this being is bringing his presence to us.
The character of Santa is placed by a father before his children, as an echo of a greater being. How perfect, that a father should tell his children about a Father to all children.
JZ
I've been thinking about Santa Claus. Not the histrocity of such, but rather the philosophy behind the character himself. It is odd to note that man created in Santa Claus a god. Or at the very least, an anthropromorphic personification (thanks Terry Pratchett). The character of Santa is perhaps best captured in the simple childish song:
You'd better watch out,
You'd better not cry,
You'd better not pout,
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
The first here captures the very primal feeling of fear of a vengeful god. One must be mindful, aware, watching ones own self, to avoid expressing even the slightest amount of discontent towards the order of events. The subject of this song is worthy of such great fear and apprehension, his wrath is obviously terrible. Fearful plebians huddle together, sharing the secret of his dreaded coming.
He knows when you are sleeping,
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!
We are well warned also that this fearful character is omniscient, knowing intimately the state of our day to day affairs. He knows, though we don't know how, our actions and is judging us by them. Yet to this point, we are given no clear reward for acting in a goodly fashion. All we are told is that we should act in such a way for the sake of goodness itself.
But what qualities can we put to this being? He is obviously a judge, and one that must be feared. He is omnipotent, and Good, in that most terrible way. There is no hint of excuse or compromise. Yet also to temper this most severe perception that could be placed upon him is the light and joyful tone of the singing. We are happy, nay, joyful that this being is bringing his presence to us.
The character of Santa is placed by a father before his children, as an echo of a greater being. How perfect, that a father should tell his children about a Father to all children.
JZ
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Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
The older pre-Christian Santa was something much crueller, I seem to remember. Something about either giving you a bag of coal, or tearing out your eyes.
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Someone that gives you months and months of supplies of meat or feeds you to his pigs.
JZ
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
"Another early folk tale, originating among the Germanic tribes, tells of a holy man (sometimes Saint Nicholas), and a demon (sometimes the Devil, Krampus, or a troll). Young men dressed as Krampus are still involved in the celebration of Saint Nicholas's Day in Kärnten (southern Austria) and Carnia (northern-eastern Italy). The story states that the land was terrorized by a monster who at night would slither down the chimneys and slaughter children (disembowelling them or stuffing them up the flue, or keeping them in a sack to eat later). The holy man sought out the demon, and tricked it with blessed or magical shackles (in some versions the same shackles that imprisoned Christ prior to the crucifixion, in other versions the shackles were those used to hold St. Peter or Paul of Tarsus); the demon was trapped and forced to obey the saint's orders. The saint ordered him to go to each house and make amends, by delivering gifts to the children. Depending on the version, the saint either made the demon fulfill this task every year, or the demon was so disgusted by the act of good will that it chose to be sent back to Hell."
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Explains why alot of kids find him so frightening.
JZ
Comment by The Daily Sonnet
The Daily Sonnet
Lots of Sonnets
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Haven't heard of it.
JZ
Comment by The Daily Sonnet
The Daily Sonnet
Lots of Sonnets
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
thanks Sonnet, going to have to do that now.
JZ