Although “Santa Claus: A Biography,” by Gerry Bowler, is a tad disappointing because no mention is made of Denver-area writer Robert Devereaux’s irreverent adult fairy tale,”Santa Steps Out,” this comprehensive guide to all things St. Nick is a witty and enlightening examination of one of the world’s most famous icons.
As Bowler notes in the first chapter, early Christians refrained from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (and giving gifts to do so) because it smacked of paganism. But because of the mixing of Roman holidays – such as the Festival of Kalends – with Christian, the tradition survived.
Indeed, the description of the Festival of Kalends, by pagan Libanius of Antioch, could be used to describe a 21st century mall: “The impulse to spend seizes everyone. … People are not only generous toward themselves, but also toward their fellow men. A stream of presents pours itself out on all sides. …”
Eventually, the tradition morphed into something more questionable, with “gifts” being given by courtiers to kings or, much later in history, tenants expected to bestow tokens on their landlords, who were sometimes expected to “feast” their tenants over the holidays during years that agricultural output was stymied.
As Bowler notes, “The practice bordered on extortion.” It eventually morphed into the holiday known as Boxer’s Day in English-speaking countries. In fascinating detail, Bowler shows how, as the centuries passed, this notion of giving gifts eventually became entwined with the legend of St. Nicholas, who was once thought to have resurrected dead men, eventually becoming the modern marvel we call Santa Claus.
Various chapters cover the “gestation and obscure birth,” “youth and character development,” and use as and advocate of good Old St. Nick. From advertisers who have made use of his image (from Coca-Cola to McDonald’s and Sara Lee) to politicians and religious leaders and even war departments (old St. Nick was used in the Civil War, World War I and World War II propaganda), the image of Santa Claus has proved successful.
Bowler even takes time to consider how the bearded one has been portrayed in the movies. But the most interesting chapter may be the last, “Does Santa Have a Future,” in which Bowler revisits how Santa Claus has, over the years, often been threatened by religious fundamentalists and other zealots.
“Santa” even wrote a farewell piece for Life magazine in 1897: “No discovery of Science has killed me. I was too small a lie to be worthy of the serious warfare of scientific truth. The fine weapons of those who, under the garb of religion, are always looking for wrong in others, have laid me low. Poor Santa Claus departs this earth, not because he did wrong, but because he could not survive the attacks of those who regard happiness as a sin.”
Fortunately for children and adults in our country, the spirit of St. Nick rose up again in all his glory and has, even under recurring attacks, finally prospered. Bowler’s thoroughly engaging biography of the Bearded One (sweetened with terrific illustrations) is a wonderful addition to anyone’s Christmas tradition.
Dorman T. Shindler, a freelance writer from Missouri, contributes to a number of national magazines and newspapers.
“Santa Claus: A Biography”
By Gerry Bowler
McClelland & Stewart, 278 pages, $26.95
