How did reindeer become associated with Christmas?

Answer 1

Ancient Norse mythology tells of the legend of Thor, the God of Thunder. Thor was known to fly through the stormy skies pulled in a chariot by magical goats named Gnasher and Cracker.

Over time, Scandinavian winter festivals that later become associated with Christmas celebrated the exploits of the Norse God. Using a costume made of goat skin and donning a manufactured goat head two men would pranced about as a goat, with some times having a third individual riding them. Such raucous holiday displays displeased Christian authorities struggling to control pagan winter rituals. Nevertheless, the celebration of the goat and his unpredictable behavior proved to be a popular and lasting element of the season.

The role of the goat, as in most roles associated with Christmas, has evolved at different times and has been recognized in different ways in different places. In Sweden, where the goat is a symbol of the season, he became a gift bringer in the tradition of Santa Claus during the 18th century. Though this fad eventually died out, the goat continued to have seasonal influence in places such as Denmark and Finland as an icon who would frighten small children and warn them to behave.

In Norway, children and adults to this day will roam through their neighborhoods entertaining neighbors with songs in exchange for treats. Many families or groups of revelers will bring a goat with them or dress as a goat in playful remembrance of the God of Thunder.

Were these Scandinavian legends a source of inspiration for Clement Moore when he reportedly wrote A Visit From St. Nicholas? Perhaps they were. Historians note that Moore, an educator in New York, might have had access to a poem by William Gilley that described Santa Claus being pulled by a team of flying reindeer. Interesting to note that A Visit From St. Nicholas appeared anonymously in the Troy, New York Sentinel on December 23. It was Mr. Moore who later claimed to be the author but this claim has been disputed and Henry Livingston Jr. has been named as the possible author.

Moore named Santa�s reindeer Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen. Curiously, the name �Donder� means �thunder� in Dutch and later became Donner and �Blitzen� means �lightning� in German.

It wasn't until 1939 that "Rudolf" was added to the list when Robert L May wrote a poem to be distributed as a marketing campaign at Montgomery Ward titled "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer".