Red stockings, baubles, candy canes and Father Christmas have long since become a common feature among our Christmas decorations. Yet all too often, their meaning remains silent for many. Is this the way it should be or do they actually point to hidden treasures that may enrich and make our lives, and that of our children, more meaningful?
Our world is pregnant with meaning. Yet all too often, this meaning is silenced by our hectic lifestyle and overly sanitised environments. If we understand our life as a journey, then we could imagine that we are treading on a path that has been laboriously sign-posted by previous generations. Various studies are pointing at how language, narratives, rituals and art are cultural products that are meant to help us perceive and give meaning to the reality we live in.
It is precisely because we perceive, search and construct meaning that we understand our life as storied lives. Each story and experience that is told, as well as the symbols that they produce, are woven in meaning. And so are Christmas decorations. They are all reminders of stories and rituals tied to the life of the real Father Christmas, who if used correctly, may help us make concrete the values of solidarity, caring and frugality.
Forget about elves, North Pole, chimneys and reindeers. Those have only been added relatively recently. St Nicholas is a real person who lived more than 17 centuries ago. The devotion towards this saint spread all over Europe, making him one of the most know saints among Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants. The stories and legends related to this character abound. All of these stories speak of a generous person who took care of the needy, defended children and the poor, and courageously acted against injustices.
All of these stories speak of a generous person who took care of the needy, defended children and the poor, and courageously acted against injustices
The fact that his feast is celebrated during Advent (December 6 in the West and December 19 in Eastern Europe), together with the stories related to children and the donation of gifts, has made it possible for St Nicholas to become a perfect introduction to the Christmas season.
St Nicholas was a generous person who chose to give everything to the poor. A story that epitomises his love for his neighbour has it that once, when on his way home, St Nicholas heard sobs coming from a poor man’s house. On looking through the window, he soon realised what was about to happen. The old man had three daughters of an age to be married. In those days a young woman without a dowry was destined to be sold into slavery or prostitution.
That night St Nicholas went secretly and tossed a golden ball through an open window. It landed right in a stocking that had been left to dry before the fire. You may imagine the joy and relief experienced when the gold was found. In all, three gold balls were tossed in the daughter’s stockings on three different occasions, thus saving the three girls from slavery. This story has led to the tradition of hanging stockings for St Nicholas to fill.
Until this very day, this tradition is still observed in most mainland European countries, among which the Netherlands. A few years ago a study was conducted by academics at the University of Groningen among children living in Amsterdam where the feast of Sinterklaas is celebrated. The study showed that through the stories, symbols and rituals tied to the figure of St Nicholas prompted children to spontaneously share with others.
Even though the character of Father Christmas is in some way tied to the historical figure of St Nicholas, their symbols and stories communicate different things. While the latter promotes values associated with taking care of the needy, sharing, and joyful giving, Father Christmas may arguably promote more egocentric attitudes of what gifts to expect for Christmas and more materialistic values.
It is in the belief that St Nicholas is more enriching that this year, some 2,300 children attending 12 early childhood and primary schools are participating in a Symbol Literacy project. Apart from listening to his stories, preparing crafts and singing his deeds, children are also meeting and taking photos with St Nicholas in their schools. By reintroducing the feast of St Nicholas, we are working to provide children and their families with a historical role model who, through his stories and symbols, reveals the true identity of Father Christmas, educates towards the value of solidarity, and offers a spiritual dimension to gift giving.
Children have a right to be educated not only for life but most especially for the good life. By helping children from an early age to recognise, read and interpret symbols and metaphors wherever they exist and in whatever form they are in, we will be giving them a priceless and irreplaceable resource that will remain with them throughout the rest of their lives.
• Prof. Adrian Gellel is the project leader of the Symbol Literacy Project and an associate professor in the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Faculty of Education at the University of Malta.