The Random Yak

Today’s Christmas “D” stands for Deer.  Or Dear, depending on your preference.

I’m not sure when reindeer acquired the honor of pulling Santa’s sleigh.  In some parts of the world (the Northern parts, mostly – curious though that seems) Sinterklaas rides a horse, not a deer.  This older form of the “jolly elf” – originally a saint – traveled first by steamer (from the North pole to the Netherlands) and then by horse. 

We do know Santa drove deer as early as 1821, because the poem “The Children’s Friend” (published that year) contains the lines: “Old Santaclaus with much delight/His reindeer drives this frosty night.”  The next oldest source for Santa Claus in American literature appears to be Washington Irving, whose 1809 work ”The History of New York” references St. Nicholas.  Irving’s work portrays Santa as an elderly man on a flying horse.  Given these two sources, I think it’s fair to say Santa started using reindeer for U.S. deliveries some time between 1810 and 1820.  (No word on when he started using Rudolph in bad weather.)  Assuming “The Children’s Friend” accurately represents the facts, the reindeer represented an excellent upgrade.  (After all, the previous works didn’t describe him as “delighted” about the flying horse deal.)

Santa’s reindeer don’t often get called “Dear” at Christmas (At least, not in my house. I’ve no idea what Santa calls them.) but others do.  Christmas provides us all with the opportunity to spend time with those we hold dear, and to demonstrate our appreciation through gifts and celebrations.  How better to observe the birth of the LORD, whose love for us changed our world, than by sharing that love – and our own – with the people we hold most dear?  (The answer, of course, is by finding a new “dear” to appreciate, preferably someone without access to family, friends or warmth on Christmas eve.) 

New or old, four legged or two, the Christmas D is deer, dear.

Linked to the Christmas Alliance homepage.

Trackposted to Pirate’s Cove, Perri Nelson’s Website, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.