Sweet Xmas

Oh, Christmas… that time of year when we turn upside down, become different people, and joy seems to pour out of every pore… because it’s Christmas. We remember our loved ones (and even the not-so-loved ones), if only for once a year. We promise not to overindulge, but the turrón and marzipan disappear as if there’s no tomorrow. We swear we’ll quit smoking, and by January 2nd, the cigarette is already back between our lips. We want to spread gifts, joy, and good wishes.

To start, we never win the Christmas lottery. Food prices skyrocket astronomically. The lines to buy it are endless. Sometimes, getting a doctor’s appointment seems easier than finding a box of frozen prawns shipped from the other side of the world. Everything is excess and extravagance, while Catholics (and some other Christians) celebrate the arrival of the Redeemer in a humble (and smelly) stable. It’s curious, to say the least.

And to continue, not even the clergy agree on the actual date of the savior’s birth. Jesus could have been born between 7 and 4 BC, probably in a warm season. So why December 25th? Well, because sometime around the 4th century, the Church thought it was a good idea to align the holiday with the pagan celebrations of the Sol Invictus. A bit of counterprogramming, plain and simple.

So, we already have a small lie at the very heart of Christmas, off to a great start.

Let’s talk about Santa Claus (Father Christmas, etc.). It turns out that, also in the 4th century, Saint Nicholas of Myra appears, a Christian bishop based in Turkey. So, the whole thing with reindeer and Nepal… doesn’t quite add up. When the Dutch emigrated to the United States, they brought the tradition of Sinterklaas, which evolved into Santa Claus. In France and Spain, in their usual fashion, they replaced Saint Nicholas with Papá Noel, who is essentially the same but brings gifts on the night of December 24th, much later than the original Saint Nicholas, who used to do so on December 6th.

If we keep digging, more and more anecdotes and secrets about this tradition will surface.

In some regions, Christmas is celebrated with other parallel traditions:

? In Catalonia, the main character is Caga Tió, a log that gets beaten with sticks until it “poops” presents.

? In the Basque Country and Navarra, Olentzero comes down from the mountains to deliver gifts.

? In Asturias and Cantabria, there’s Esteru, a kind-hearted lumberjack who brings toys.

? In Galicia, Apalpador touches children’s bellies and leaves chestnuts and gifts.

? The Three Wise Men rule in Spain and Latin America, with their magical parade on the night of January 5th.

Outside of Spain, there are also similar traditions:

? The Yule Log in Northern Europe, a log burned during winter celebrations.

? Befana in Italy, an old woman who delivers gifts on January 6th.

? Ded Moroz in Russia, accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka.

? The unsettling Krampus in the Alps, who punishes naughty children.

? And the charming Tomte and Nisse in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, who protect homes and leave gifts for those who treat them well.

All of these are magical and rustic characters (many logs and forest figures), accompanied by children’s rituals that make Christmas work. Because, in the end, beyond historical inconsistencies, Christmas remains one of the most cherished holidays. Perhaps because, for a few days, it makes us dream and rediscover that innocence we so often miss.