Kris Kringle is the great Christmas spirit, the hero of many tales, and the object of prayers (supplication from children) and offering (milk, cookies, and carrots, for his reindeer).. His major feast is December 25, but increasingly communities begin celebrations many months in advance. Kris Kringle is venerated under many names and forms. Some major ones include:
Santa Claus: Santa is the Judge of Children. Children will send letters to Santa's home at the Other Side's North Pole or visit a Santa shrine, often at the local shopping center.. In either case, the youngsters tell Santa of their desires and he peers into their souls to judge if they are worthy. All children know that each year, their deeds are weighed by Santa, who marks them down in his list as Naughty or Nice. Nice children can usually expect some reward - possibly even a small fraction of what they requested. Naughty children will be punished, by a lump of coal, or worse. See Spirits of Retribution. Feats: Know When Children are Good or Bad, Sleeping or Awake; Judge Naughty or Nice.
Father Christmas: Manifests the good cheer and bounty of Christmas, especially in decorations such as holly and in festivities, food and drink. Father Christmas walks among men invisibly spreading a magical spice from his torch. Father Christmas has a serious side too, and urges his followers to care for the ignorant and needy, especially children. Unique among the forms of Kris Kringle, an avatar of Father Christmas serves as part of the most serious Spirits of Retribution. Feats: Walk Invisible Among Men, Succor Needy, Spice of Good Cheer
St. Nick: A right jolly old elf, dressed in furs from head to foot, St. Nick is Kris Kringle as the magical deliverer of gifts to children judged Nice and lumps of coal to the Naughty. St. Nick speaks not a word but communicates with devotees by gesture. No spirit of retribution is associated with St. Nick, from whom there is nothing to fear. He carries his toys in a huge sack and goes from home to home in a sleigh pulled by his flying reindeer (eight in good weather, nine in bad). Feats: Drive Flying Sleigh, Rise Up Chimneys, Pipesmoke Wreaths.
Spirits of Retribution: Simple infractions, especially by children, are usually punished by the substitution of a lump of coal for the request gift. Long time infidelity, or especially apostasy, among adults is punished by a terrifying visit by The Three Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future who torture the victim with nostalgia, guilt and finally terror.
...Merry Christmas.
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