Santa's Evil Sidekick
Like most of us, Santa Claus has a mixed lineage. He’s the result of a jumble of ancient traditions, a lot of modern poems and stories, and at least one amazingly successful ad campaign (for Coca-Cola).
The original Saint Nicholas was a fourth century Greek saint from what is now Turkey. He was known and loved for his generosity to children. Of his many kindnesses (usually bestowed anonymously), he is most remembered for his habit of hiding gifts or a few coins in the shoes of impoverished children. This is how he became the patron saint of children.
The English name Santa Claus derives from the Dutch nickname for St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas. But like many things having to do with Christmas, Santa's character derives as much from various pagan traditions as from early Christianity.
Much of what we think of today as the Santa story (the reindeer, the snowy woodland hideaway, the elves) comes from pre-Christian European folk tales. There are also many parallels between St. Nick and the old gods, the Norse god Odin, for example. Trickster gods, such as Loki from Norse mythology, turn up in Santa stories as well.
Santa, you see, hasn't always worked alone.
The original St. Nicholas, who was abundantly kind to good children, had a reputation for being rather harsh to little ones who made the naughty list. This carried over into the Santa legend. Sometimes Santa took his revenge on children he judged to be bad by simply leaving a lousy gift: a lump of coal or rotten fruit. But occasionally he was known to carry bad children away in a burlap sack. It’s not clear what he did with the children he made off with. It might be best if we don't speculate.
Perhaps because parents and priests alike were disturbed by Santa's harsh side, the character gradually evolved into something less disturbing—a jolly old guy who brought gifts to good children and didn't exact revenge on the bad ones. But as any psychologist will tell you, the bad guy has to go somewhere.
Santa's evil side became a sort of sidekick who took care of the nasty business of spying on children and presumably doing away with the ones who were too wicked to live. In Germany this alter ego is known as Knecht Ruprecht; in Hungary he’s called Krampusz; and in France and parts of Belgium, Père Fouettard.
Fortunately both Santa and his sidekick have softened up over the years. Though St. Nick generally works alone nowadays, when his sidekick does appear, he elicits as much delight as the jolly old elf himself. But if you’re thinking about getting up to some naughty doings, keep in mind that you don't want to push Santa too far. Who knows? He may still have that burlap sack.
Happy Holidays!
Avery