Merry Christmas

This is just a quick entry. The illustration on the left was the cover of Harper’s Weekly on January 3, 1863. Thomas Nast, the illustrator, ‘invented’ the image of Santa Claus that we follow down through today, almost a century and a half later. Nast’s image, along with Clement Moore’s 1822 A Visit from St. Nicholas (which is more popularly known today as Twas the Night Before Christmas) created the popular view of this jolly old elf that – by then – had been around for over 1500 years.

But, the whole story of Santa Claus can be traced back to St. Nicholas (b. circa 270 A.D.) – a Christian bishop who spent his adult life representing the true gift that God gave to mankind… Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem.

Take advantage of all of the gifts you receive this Christmas.

Essential question: What has been the effect of Jesus of Nazareth on Western culture?