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Originally Posted by gualbert
Santa is sorta, the representation of god: old man, white beard, the God for atheists and gullible little children.
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His origin is actually Eastern Orthodox and not western at all, which is how in the west things got all fucked up and commercial.
The cultural myth of Santa, who has a dozen names and identities across Russia, Eastern Europe, Greece and Asia Minor (the realms of Eastern Christianity) is related to the Saint's tradition.
He is a saint, who came around towards to end of the great Fasting season of Advent, to reward people for their faith with prayers, blessings and treats, much like a priest. This is really much the same with ALL SAINTS in the Orthodox tradition, they all provide a kind of benediction accommodated by some kind of material treat. In the orthodox tradition of fasting, these treats are often food related. Christmas candies and cookies and cakes all originate in the tradition of breaking the fast after midnight mass.