Now I have seen everything

Indeed this is true, up north in Wisconsin they have Saint Nick's day which falls around the 21st and kids are to receive a gift that night. Thus falling more in line of many Norse customs.
It is true that many heathen or Pagan customs were included into the Christian celebration of Yule.
And there are Merry or Happy Yule cards in all the stores.

Unfortunately Christmas has become overly commercialized these days and the true meanings of the ancient celebrations are long lost in the tinsel and gaudiness of the season.It's all about getting the best most expensive gifts, who has the biggest light display and all the trim.

Keith and I put up a tree with ornaments we made from Mother Earth. I make the candles with the scents of the season and do my holiday baking. My alter is decorated to honor the turning of the wheel and the new season upon us.

We don't have much to put under the tree, but that is not a big part of our celebrations, it's about family and friends. It's about storytelling and wishes for the new season. It's about reciting the history of our families and our past rites. And it's about sharing what we have with those who don't have anything.

It's funny you should speak of the Norse stories of Santa Clause. I do collect Santa's and all of mine are along that description.

I think especially in these hard economic times it's a good lesson to pass forward to our families that Yule, Christmas, Hanukah, etc is not about all the bling, but it's about the simple things and about family, old friends, and making new friends. It's about sharing and simple things. It's about traditions and the practices of said traditions. Besides the modern day celebrations tend to lead to a great deal of stress and upset. That alone should tell you about the wisdom of celebrating this modern day Christmas. Not to mention that going into debt for the year to make sure there are all kinds of gifts for everyone under the tree, doesn't work in these tough economic times when most folks are wondering if they can keep their house, job, or put food on the table.

So with that said, let's share with one another our favorite rituals, recipes, crafts, music, and do some story telling of our own. Tis the season and although we may live miles apart, the internet allows us to make our own little celebration here amongst ourselves.

Blessed Be,
Laura

> I personally have no problem with Santa Clause, he’s about as Pagan as you get. After all, he’s been described as Fey, is definitely magickal, and gives gifts. What more could you want? Santa lives at the North Pole, which makes perfect sense since Yule is a Norse Holy Day. He has Elves who do his bidding, and he rewards or punishes based on a person’s behavior.
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> Sounds pretty Pagan to me.
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> Greyhart
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> There are so many meaningful and fun activities that one does for Yule, I see no reason to add Santa Clause. If you want to do Santa Clause and Chrisitmas fine, but to try to mix the two is and was a trick the original Christians used to bring the masses away from Paganism and into the Church. One can do both, but I'm personally against mixing the two.
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> BB
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> Laura
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