Santa Claus Brings Cheer

The jingling of bells announces the onset of the festive Christmas and New Year season. It also marks the arrival of that special messenger of merriment and the harbinger of joy known fondly the world over as Santa Claus. Santa Claus encourages us to rediscover the child within us and to approach all things in life with the spirit of innocence. Santa Claus’ loving eyes reflect his concern for humanity. His spectacles, worn low on his nose, signify that he is not viewing the world through the narrow domain of perceptions. The dense and snow-white beard denotes wealth of wisdom. His large red gown symbolises energy and dedication. He appears as a fun-loving person. The word ‘Santa’ is an anagram for the word ‘Satan’. Satan symbolises greed, disorder, disobedience and pain. As the evil serpent, Satan enticed Adam and Eve to commit the original sin of eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Santa is what Satan is not: a symbol of selfless service and kindness. On the one hand, Santa carries a bag of gifts to spread abundance and prosperity. On the other, he holds the leash that reins in eight reindeers. He is in control of the seven deadly sins: pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth. The eighth reindeer signifies immortality. He rides a sleigh bound skywards, implying that heavenly uplift or spiritual progress is the true goal of man. Santa Claus reminds us that miracles can happen, and that generosity is a virtue to be practised. He is a reinforcement of the goodness that is inherent in all human beings.

Source: Economic Times, 21/12/2018