Aidan Duke

Writer

Throughout history, Christmas has been a very special time for families across the world as they gather together to celebrate the season.

According to whychristmas.com, Christmas dates back to December 25, 336 A.D. when it was first celebrated in Jerusalem. 

Ever since that original Christmas day, families have celebrated this holiday in their own way with yearly traditions and sometimes making new rituals as they enjoy this time of year.

One of the main traditions of Christmas is the different characters that are associated with the season.

The most recognized character of the holiday season, which many people know and love, is Santa Claus.

Santa Claus was inspired by St. Nicholas who was a bishop known for his generosity towards others.

His real name was Nickolas of Bari who was born in Patara, Myra, in 280 A.D. coming from a wealthy Christian family according to history.com.

He would pass out gifts to children and the poor around Myra in December , which is now present day Turkey.

These gifts included apples, oranges, nuts, cookies, sweets and gold coins.

Legend has it that Nicholas threw a gold coin in a house and it landed on a sock drying by the fire, creating the tradition of putting stockings up over the fire in hopes of getting more coins according to voiceandvisonice.com.

History.com said that Nickolas gave all of his inherited wealth away and traveled across the countryside helping and giving to others.The acts of St. Nicholas benefited many people and surpassed him and the church, making a character that is very important in Christmas.

Another beloved character that is an essential part of Christmas is Ebenezer Scrooge from the book “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.

In the story, Scrooge is a miser who lives alone because of his actions towards others.

One character that bears the brunt of Scrooge’s condemnation is Bob Cratchit, his new partner after his friend Jacob Marley died.

One night, as Ebenezer goes to his home he is confronted by his dead partner Jacob Marley.

Marley warns him to change his actions or he will be destined to bear his chains in the afterlife as Marley does.  

Marley had lived a selfish life with no regard for his fellow man, and with each foul deed formed a link of chain to bear for the rest of eternity;  he pleaded with Scrooge to prevent the same from happening to him.

Ebenezer does not listen to his old friend’s advice, stating his famous line of “Bah Humbug,” and goes to sleep where he is awoken first by the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Through their combined efforts the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future show Scrooge how his unmerry actions have led to him living alone in isolation and how he will suffer in the afterlife if he does not change his ways.

Scrooge wakes up and is very happy due to his foretold future that had not come to pass.  

Ultimately, Scrooge realizes that it is not too late to change his actions, and he ultimately decides to become a new man by blessing those around him. 

He then goes outside of his house exclaiming “Merry Christmas!” and immediately gives to the poor,and also buys many gifts for Bob Cratchit’s family.

The character Ebenezer Scrooge is very important to Christmas because he teaches lessons of self sacrifice and kindness that embody the very nature of Christmas.  

Ebenezer is a prime example that anybody can make bad decisions, but it is never too late to change and be forgiven for one’s actions.

These characters have made a major impact on Christmas because they exemplify the spirit of Christmas, which is to give selflessly to others.

Marlow High School Stuco has done a food drive every year school wide to help others and benefit them.

The students help support and give cans to the food drive showing christmas spirit to help make other people’s lives better.

This Christmas season is a time to gather together with loved ones near and far and to remember  the spirit of Christmas by exchanging gifts and happiness.