Essay: Santa, maybe? Why we have different names for who “hurries down the chimney’ on Christmas
In an article first published on The Conversation, linguist VALERIE M FRIDLAND looks at the origins of the various names for Santa Claus…
Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem: The city founded by Moravians on Christmas eve keeps its traditions alive
LUIS ANDRES HENAO, of Associated Press, reports from the city of Bethlehem on how members of the Moravian Church are keeping Christmas traditions alive…
StrangeSights: Kosovo’s “Run Santa Claus”; “fish-mas” at London aquarium; and, barbers battle it out in Rio…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
The Explainer: When is St Nicholas Day? And how did this Christian saint inspire the Santa Claus legend?
With St Nicholas’ Day commemorated around the world this week, LUIS ANDRES HENAO, of Associated Press, looks at who St Nicholas was and his connections with more modern Christmas celebrations …
Origins: The history of the shopping centre Santa
In an article first published on The Conversation, Australian marketing experts GARY MORTIMER and LOUISE GRIMMER look at how the shopping centre Santa became a staple of the festive season…
Bah! Humbug! Italy bishop apologises after Santa comments
Rome, Italy AP A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily publicly apologised to outraged parents after its bishop told a group of children that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. In a Facebook post and subsequent comments Friday, the diocese of Noto insisted that Bishop Antonio Stagliano didn’t mean to dash the dreams of the youngsters two weeks […]
Essay: This Christmas tell your children the real Santa Claus story
In an article first published on The Conversation, LISA BITEL, a US-based historian and religions, looks at the story behind Santa Claus…
Essay: Technology, tradition and the invention of Christmas in 19th century New York
S BRENT RODRIGUEZ-PLATE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, reflects on the contribution New York has made to how Christmas is celebrated today…
CHRISTMAS: NOT AS YOU KNOW IT – AUTHOR PUTS NEW SLANT ON TREASURED TRADITIONS
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, speaks with author Judith Flanders about why the origins of Christmas traditions may be different that what we’ve thought…
Newly found tomb may be final resting place of St Nick, say Turkish archaeologists
A previously unknown tomb – which Turkish archaeologists say may contain the remains of St Nicholas, believed to be the inspiration for Santa Claus – has been discovered beneath the mosaic covered floor of a church in Turkey. The church where the tomb is located is in Demre, previously known as Myra, in the province of […]