Well, this past week I was looking down into the holler toward Webb’s Creek wondering what kinds of questions the Three Wise Men might ask if they could spend Christmas at my cabin. No offense intended to my standard gaggle of visiting relatives, but the Three Wise Men would be awesome guests.
We’d have to board their camels at the kennel, but the travelers from afar could stay in the lower level of the cabin (one would have to use the blow-up bed). Certainly they would have questions about how to use the treadmill and indoor plumbing, but I would mostly be interested in comparing that very first Christmas with our celebrations over 2,000 years later. What would the Three Wise Men think about our current Christmas celebrations and traditions?
The use of evergreens and wreaths probably wouldn’t be a big surprise to the Three Wise Men because long before that first Christmas Romans and others gave evergreen branches as gifts to celebrate the shortest day in December, known as winter solstice. Many cultures still celebrate winter solstice because folks are excited about the sun working its way back to Spring.
The Wise Men might find it interesting that the evergreen tradition spread from the winter solstice festivals into the Christmas season. Further, I would let them know that the whole “tree” thing is a relatively brand new idea that took off when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (not in the can) were sketched standing around a Christmas tree in 1846. Germans carted trees inside their houses a couple of hundred years earlier, but the drawing of the two royal nobles made it “fashionable” to haul a tree inside the house or castle at Christmas. Imagine, if Prince Albert would have just stayed in the can we might not have Christmas trees today! I’m thinking the Three Wise Men might raise their collective eyebrows at that story.
Santa Claus would be easy enough to explain to my camel riding friends. First, I would show the Three Wise Men my life-sized Santa Claus that dances and sings carols next to the end table. I’m sure they would be amazed at the realism and musical talent of that stuffed Santa. He sings at least five songs and gyrates wildly with the beat.
I would tell them the story of Saint Nicholas, a monk from an area now known as Turkey, who was known to be especially kind to children. Legend says he would even throw gifts into the open windows of homes that housed children. Many cultures celebrated and honored St. Nick each year on the anniversary of his death, 12/06/350 A.D. Known by many different names, the generous and jolly spirit of St. Nick lives on in the hearts and minds of millions around the world!
The Dutch especially liked old St. Nick and when they came to America they told other pilgrims how they celebrated “Sinter Klaas,” the Dutch nickname for St. Nicholas. The English children mispronounced the Dutch name and bingo…bango…bongo—“Sinter Klaas” became Santa Claus. Winter solstice celebrations, evergreens and celebrations for benevolent St. Nick are all rolled into the Christmas Season. By now the Three Wise Men might be scratching their heads. I’ll suggest that they sit down and have some wassail.
While sipping their spicy drinks the Three Wise Men might wonder about the big pile of gifts under the tree so I would compare my Christmas list to theirs. I might even tell them about Walmart and E-bay.
Finally I would point out the nativity set next to the family Bible. I would share the wonderful spirit of giving and caring for others and how the long Christmas Season always bring the best out in people throughout the world as we remember and cherish the birth of Jesus Christ. Even with the jumbled up traditions of Roman evergreens, winter solstice festivals, Sinter Klaas and wild gift giving we never forget that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Before heading to church I would freshen up their wassail while they unwrap the matching “Life is Good” pajamas I bought for them. I buy wacky pajamas for every family member each Christmas. As they mount their camels to leave I would shout, “Merry Christmas…if you can make it….see y’all on July 4th.” That is just how it looks from my log cabin.
John LaFevre is a local speaker and co-author of the interactive national park hiking book series, Scavenger Hike Adventures, Falcon Guides, Globe Pequot Press. Contact John at scavengerhike@aol.com. Artist G. Webb lives in Pittman Center, Tennessee. Gwebbgallery.com.
