Harriet Vane Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 My ds knows that Santa is not real. He also knows about the original Saint Nicholas and some of the ideas about how Santa came about. We have always approached Santa as part of the holiday fun, and also told our kids what we know about the origins. Now ds wants to know how the idea of flying reindeer came to be a part of the myth. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 My ds knows that Santa is not real. He also knows about the original Saint Nicholas and some of the ideas about how Santa came about. We have always approached Santa as part of the holiday fun, and also told our kids what we know about the origins. Now ds wants to know how the idea of flying reindeer came to be a part of the myth. Any ideas? I believe the idea came from the poem Twas the Night Before Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravinlunachick Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 (edited) I have always heard the 8 reindeer were a variant of Odin and Sleipnir. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleipnir In the Rankin and Bass movie Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, they are regular reinder that are fed the Winter Warlock's magic corn, thus gaining the ability to fly. Trippy, huh? Eta a more helpful link: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/p/Santa_Claus.htm Edited December 24, 2011 by ravinlunachick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Engine Failure Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the Civil Aviation Authority, and the relevent official arrived last week for the pre-Christmas flight check. In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got his log book out and made sure all his paperwork was in order. He knew they would examine all his equipment and truly put Santa's flying skills to the test. The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and even Rudolph's nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa's weight and balance calculations for the sled's enormous payload. Finally, they were ready for the check ride. Santa got in and fastened his seat belt and shoulder harness and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa's surprise, a shotgun. "What's that for?!?" asked Santa incredulously. The examiner winked and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this ahead of time," as he leaned over to whisper in Santa's ear, "but you're gonna lose an engine on takeoff." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaOz Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Tell him to watch "Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas" ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Or Veggietales the legend of Saint Nicholas. Larry the cucumber is responsible for flying reindeer, of course. My 4 yr old son watched that show and suddenly Santa Claus was all he talked about. So cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I believe the idea came from the poem Twas the Night Before Christmas. This is my understanding as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted December 24, 2011 Author Share Posted December 24, 2011 Thanks! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 great show on the history/traditions of santa/christmas ob the history channel (I think) the other night...tied it all in from the pagans to the christians to how santa and his story came about ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Engine Failure Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the Civil Aviation Authority, and the relevent official arrived last week for the pre-Christmas flight check. In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got his log book out and made sure all his paperwork was in order. He knew they would examine all his equipment and truly put Santa's flying skills to the test. The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and even Rudolph's nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa's weight and balance calculations for the sled's enormous payload. Finally, they were ready for the check ride. Santa got in and fastened his seat belt and shoulder harness and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa's surprise, a shotgun. "What's that for?!?" asked Santa incredulously. The examiner winked and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this ahead of time," as he leaned over to whisper in Santa's ear, "but you're gonna lose an engine on takeoff." :001_huh: I wouldn't want to be the raindeer in the back on that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Magic corn! At least according to Santa Claus is Coming to Town, my source for all Santa info:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 When my youngest sister still believed an older child asked her how in the world the reindeer could fly. Without skipping a bit she responded: "They were struck by lightning and have been flying ever since." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I believe the idea came from the poem Twas the Night Before Christmas. :iagree: More precisely, from general misreading of the poem. In 1823, when it was published, "fly" was understood to mean run quickly. Today, a cursory reading leaves one with an impression of reindeer on the roof, " and away they all flew...," suggesting levitating caribou. But if you read carefully, you see that Santa is first seen when the narrator looks down at the snow below his window. Then the reindeer go up the wall to get onto the roof, the narrator comparing them to leaves blowing along the ground, hitting an obstacle, and going straight upward. But at no point in the poem are they actually aerial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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