Happy Holidays readers and welcome to the 2022 edition of our Christmas special here on The Legend Queens! Dropping this special for you on Christmas Eve as a early holiday gift from us to give you a reason to sneak away from your family for a few minutes for a break. Austin will be spending the Holidays with his family in the Minnesota area while Amber gets settled into her new home in Texas.
Before we begin we would like to thank YOU, the reader and subscriber, for joining us this year as we dive into this endeavor that the two of us have been wanting to explore for a good portion of two years now. It gives us permission to be as weird as we want and to handle this project the way we want it to operate. Your continued support as someone who visits this newsletter means so much to us. Every click, every view, every like is a sign to us that readers are enjoying our content and allows us to grow even further. As long as we know there is a community out there who wants to learn and explore with us, we are going to continue providing content and material to review.
For our 2022 Christmas Special Amber will shed some light on the popular Christmas characters of Krampus and St. Nick and Austin will be telling us about the pagan holiday Yule which shares a lot of similarities with the Christian holiday of Christmas as well as other religious winter holidays.
Shall we begin?
Krampus & Ye Old St. Nick
Written by: Amber Brevig
Krampus: Nature Deity or Malevolent Fiend?
Krampus is a figure in European folklore who is associated with the Christmas holiday season. He is typically portrayed as a creature with the body of a man and the head of a goat, and is often depicted with horns, fur, and a long, pointed tongue. According to legend, Krampus is the companion of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. While Saint Nicholas is known for rewarding good behavior with gifts, Krampus is responsible for punishing misbehaving children.
Krampus has roots in pre-Christian European traditions, where many indigenous European cultures worshipped him as a nature deity. These cultures include the ancient Celts, who celebrated the winter solstice with a festival known as Yule, and the ancient Germans, who honored the nature deities Wodan (Odin) and Thor during the winter solstice. These believers associated Krampus with the forces of nature and the changing seasons. Krampus was a guardian of the natural world and a protector of animals.
In the Christian tradition, Krampus was eventually assimilated into the celebration of Christmas and became known as a monstrous figure who would visit homes on the evening of December 5th, known as Krampusnacht, to punish naughty children.
In many European countries, it is traditional for Krampus to roam the streets during the holiday season, accompanied by people dressed in Krampus costumes who hand out sweets to good children and sticks or coal to naughty ones. Krampus is often depicted in Christmas cards, decorations, and other holiday-themed items.
Despite his fearsome reputation, Krampus has gained a following among some individuals who appreciate his role as a counterbalance to the commercialization and sentimentality of Christmas. In recent years, there have been a number of Krampus-themed events and parades held in cities around the world, including the Krampuslauf, or Krampus run, in Austria and the Krampusnacht parade in Los Angeles.
Despite his fearsome reputation, the legend of Krampus is meant to be a cautionary tale, reminding children (and adults) to behave well and show kindness to others during the holiday season. As the saying goes, "Naughty or nice, Krampus will know; so be good for goodness sake!"
St. Nick
Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, is a beloved figure in the holiday season. Originally a bishop in the 4th century, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and is known for his generosity and kindness.
According to legend, Saint Nicholas was born in the city of Patara, located in what is now modern-day Turkey. He was known for his compassion and love for the poor, and was known to secretly leave gifts and money for those in need. This generosity eventually earned him the nickname "Saint Nicholas the Gift-Giver," which was eventually shortened to "Santa Claus."
In many countries, it is traditional for children to leave out a wish list for Santa on the evening of December 24th, along with a snack to fuel his journey. On Christmas morning, children eagerly wake up to see if Santa has left them any gifts, which are often placed under the Christmas tree or in a stocking hung by the fireplace.
In addition to his role as a gift-giver, Santa is also associated with the idea of spreading joy and good cheer during the holiday season. Artists depict him as a jolly, plump man with a white beard, red suit, and black boots, who travels the world on Christmas Eve in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
Santa has become a cultural icon, appearing in numerous holiday-themed movies, TV shows, and advertisements. He is a symbol of the holiday season and is loved by children and adults alike.
Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, there's no denying that Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, is a beloved and integral part of the holiday season. So go ahead and leave out some cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve – you never know, he just might leave you a special surprise in return.
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it is also when many cultures focus on tradition and symbolism. Although Krampus and Santa Claus are both associated with the same time of year, each has their own unique roles and practices.
Krampus and Santa in the 21st Century
Krampus and Santa each play essential roles during the holiday season despite their differences. One key difference is the way cultures celebrate each. While Santa is often the center of holiday celebrations in many parts of the world, Krampus has a more limited presence. One of their most interesting differences in modern day, though, is how they are portrayed in pop culture.
In recent years, Krampus has gained popularity in media, particularly in the United States. He has appeared in several films, including the 2015 horror comedy "Krampus" and the 2017 animated film "Krampus: The Devil Returns." Krampus has also been featured in a number of television shows, such as "The Mindy Project" and "Supernatural." In these features, he is often portrayed as a more malevolent figure causing chaos and destruction in the lives of those who have lost the true spirit of Christmas.
Father Christmas, aka Santa, has appeared in countless films, television shows, and other forms of media. Some of the most well-known depictions of Santa include the classic Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," the film "Miracle on 34th Street," and the television show "A Charlie Brown Christmas." In addition to these traditional portrayals, Santa Claus has also appeared in more modern media, such as the films "The Santa Clause" and "Fred Claus." Very few depictions of Mr. Claus feature him as a bad or scary figure.
Despite both figures at one point being loved and celebrated, modern media and belief systems have been cruel to poor ol’ Krampus. If you’re interested in seeing how Krampus has evolved through time, take a peek at the video below:
Krampus and Santa: Demonization and Appropriation
The demonization of Paganism by Christian culture has a long and complex history. Paganism, which refers to the beliefs and practices of various non-monotheistic religions, has often been portrayed by Christian cultures as being inferior, primitive, or even demonic. One of the ways in which organized religion has demonized Paganism is through the appropriation and distortion of pagan symbols and practices. Many Christian holidays, for example, have their origins in pagan festivals and celebrations. Christmas was originally a pagan holiday honoring the winter solstice, but the Catholic church later reinterpreted these winter traditions as celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Religious leaders also historically portray pagans as evil or morally corrupt, often intertwining Pagan beliefs with practices such as human sacrifice or devil worship. This negative portrayal of Pagans has contributed to the marginalization and persecution of Pagan communities, particularly in societies where Christianity is the dominant religion.
It is essential to strive for a more inclusive and respectful understanding of the beliefs and practices of different religions. While there may be differences between other faiths, it is vital to recognize and respect the value and validity of all belief systems.
So as a friendly reminder, when someone says “Happy Holidays” this season - if your first instinct is to say “It’s Christmas”, take just a moment to consider all of the different practices and special days that happen this time of year.
What are your December traditions and holidays? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!
Sources:
"Saint Nicholas." Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas.
"Saint Nicholas." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Dec. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas.
"The History of Santa Claus." History.com, A&E Television Networks, https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-santa-claus.
"The Origins of Santa Claus." Mental Floss, Mental Floss, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/53757/origins-santa-claus.
"The History of Santa Claus: From Bishop to Coca-Cola Icon." The Old Farmer's Almanac, The Old Farmer's Almanac, https://www.almanac.com/content/history-santa-claus-bishop-coca-cola-icon.
"Krampus: The Devil of Christmas." Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/topic/Krampus.
"Krampus." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Dec. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus.
"Krampus: The Christmas Devil." History.com, A&E Television Networks, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/krampus.
"Krampus: The Anti-Santa Who Punishes Naughty Children at Christmas." Mental Floss, Mental Floss, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/534038/krampus-origin-history.
"The Legend of Krampus: The Anti-Claus of Christmas." The Old Farmer's Almanac, The Old Farmer's Almanac, https://www.almanac.com/content/legend-krampus-anti-claus-christmas.
The Celebration of Yule
Written by: Austin Bolkcom
Yule is one of the oldest winter festivals celebrated with it beginning on the Winter Solstice and ending on New Years Day. Its roots aren’t easy to find as many cultures have some type of celebration consisting of the same elements that we see in the traditions of Yule, all of them celebrating the longest night of the year as tomorrow brings the return of longer days from the sun. Ancient Romans had the festival of Saturnalia, which honored the agricultural god Saturn. They would exchange gifts, eat, and make sacrifices to various gods during the winter’s sowing season. School and work would stop, even for enslaved people. Romans would decorate their homes with wreaths and other greenery, much like a Yule celebration. The Inca Empire celebrated their sun god Inti by fasting for three days before the solstice, which takes place in June for the Southern hemisphere. Then, they would make offerings to Inti at sunrise. The themes of fire, light and feasting are common to find among the celebrations as they get through the long night together and warm.
In ancient traditions of Yule, it was commonplace for sacrifice to occur to a higher entity so that they would be able to last through the winter until the spring and for protection from anything that may be lurking through the veil. Meat tended to be the main dish at these festivals as by this time in the winter they aren’t able to keep or feed all of their livestock so slaughtering them was necessary to feed the family and village.
Yule was similar to Passover in Jerusalem before the Temple was destroyed. For Passover, the Jewish people would bring lambs, birds, and other animals for sacrifice. The blood would be offered on the altar and the meat cooked for the Passover meal.
Yule occurs at the same time as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, in the form of a 12-day feast, sometimes called epiphany or feast of the nativity. This feast was intended to correspond with the pagan holiday to celebrate the winter solstice. Over time, these feasts merged to become the holiday we now know as Christmas. In today’s context, Yule is simply the feast celebrating the birth of Christ, and Yuletide is the Christmas season. Lots of aspects of the story of Jesus’s birth are celebrated during Yule season, but remnants of the original feasts and celebrations also show up in many of our modern-day Christmas traditions.
Mistletoe
A plant highly revered by the Ancient Celtic Druids as well as the Norse people for its abnormal properties to stay green and vibrant regardless if the tree was dead, not needing any roots but rather taking nutrients from it’s surroundings. Villagers would be given a piece of mistletoe to hang over their door in the winter to ward off evil spirits, as it was believed that the veil between the spirit world and our world is even thinner during the Winter Solstice than it is during Halloween/Samhain.
In Norse legend, Frigga, the goddess of love, had a son named Balder who was the god of innocence and light. To protect him, Frigga demanded that all creatures swear an oath not to harm him, but she forgot to include mistletoe. Loki, god of evil and destruction, learned of this and made an arrow from a sprig of mistletoe. He then tricked Hoth, Balder's blind brother, into shooting the mistletoe arrow and guided it to kill Balder. The death of Balder meant the death of sunlight, explaining the long winter nights in the north. Frigga's tears fell onto the mistletoe and turned into white berries. She decreed that it should never cause harm again but should promote love and peace instead.
From then on whenever two people find themselves under a mistletoe, its customary for them to kiss under it to symbolize peace and love. Even if sworn enemies were to be found under the white berries, they would have to declare a truce for the day in honor of Frigga and her decree.
The Ancient Druids recognized that the mistletoe was a sign of fertility and believed that it was the seed of the Oak King, a pagan god. The plant becoming a very holy item, an indicator of great sacredness in their tradition. Historians claim that the Chief Druid would cut the mistletoe off with a golden sickle and the others would have to collect them before they fell to the ground otherwise they’d lose their magic. The berries then would be distributed to the townsfolk and given to them as wards against evil or as items to encourage fertility.
Yule Log
Common practice during Yule is the burning of the Yule Log. Norse and Germanic roots would pick a tree that they would chop down and carry into the house and slowly feed into the hearth of the home. Whatever wasn’t used this year would be saved till next year. Keeping the Yule Log on the property after initial burning is said to protect the home and grounds from being struck by lightning. Families had to pick the perfect tree because they needed to sustain the fire to go for twelve days. In the Celtic tradition they burned the log for twelve days to persuade the sun to come back and stay out longer, shortening the long cold winter nights. It was common to keep the ashes of the log and use them on next years crop to promote fertility to the upcoming harvest.
According to the History Channel, the first Yule logs were burned in Norway. Yule comes from the Norse word hweol, meaning wheel. It was believed the sun was a wheel of fire rolling close, then away from the earth. To celebrate the return of the sun “rolling” toward the earth during the winter solstice, the ancient Norse gathered and burned a large log in celebration. The tradition was then adopted throughout European countries, often predating medieval times. As different regions adopted the tradition, the ceremonies surrounding the gathering and burning of the Yule log began to vary from culture to culture too
Some Yule log traditions are very specific about the way to obtain the log. For example, it must be given to you, never purchased. Another tradition states it must come from a property you own. This last reason explains why the type of wood used as a Yule log varies in accordance to what wood is available (e.g. England uses oak, Scotland uses birch, France uses cherry). In countries where trees were scarce or the average citizen did not have ready access to logs, the Yule log isn’t wood at all, but a candle.
Today we have adopted to watching an infinite loop of the Yule Log on TV as most houses can’t support burning a fire inside the home anymore. The hearth not having as central as a role as it did before modern times. For the more spiritual person, a log is placed as a center piece with ribbons, plants, and candles to be lit over the next twelve days of Yule. An easier way to still burn the Yule Log without having to cause any harm to you or your home. Lastly, some people even make the Yule Log into a chocolate swiss roll! A Chocolate Yule Log or 'Bûche de Noël' is now a popular Christmas dessert or pudding. They are made of a chocolate sponge roll layered with cream. The outside is covered with chocolate or chocolate icing and decorated to look like a bark-covered log.
Does or has your family ever burned a Yule Log or done the modern reenactment of making it into a baked good?