Merry Christmas everybody! It’s the time of year that we find out who was naughty or nice.

If you were on the nice list, you probably got some pretty good presents. If you were on the naughty list, you probably get a lump of coal in your stocking.

For those of you who missed a Christmas or two being on duty as a first responder, police officer, fire fighter, or medical professional, you get extra credit. Although not as “glamorous” as a fire engine or police car responding to an emergency, there are many people working during the holiday season that we may take for granted. To mention a few, those working in the hospitality industry, taxi drivers, convenience store clerks, and those who deliver our Press EVERY DAY, kudos to you.

Also on the nice list are our military members who are deployed to the ends of the earth. The holiday season is empty for them, but they hold solace knowing that their families are safe and celebrating the season. If you missed your holidays due to work, Santa will remember you and put you on his nice list.

I wrote to Santa at the North Pole and told him I was curious about how he got his name. Being technologically savvy (now with advanced computer systems and GPS guidance on his sleigh), he referred me to several websites. Seems Old St. Nick has quite a story.

Legend has it that he was a monk born around 280 A.D. in what is now known as Turkey. He gave away his inherited wealth and was known for his kindness by helping the sick and the poor, which is probably where we got “the spirit of Christmas.” A New York newspaper in 1773 and 1774 reported that Dutch families honored the anniversary of his death on Dec. 6th, which led to his entry into American culture. Evolving from his Dutch name of Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas), he became known as Santa Claus.

In 1804, New York Historical Society member John Pintard distributed woodcuts with images of Santa with stockings that hung over the fireplace and were filled with toys and fruit. In 1809, Washington Irving wrote “The History of New York” where he referred to St. Nicholas as the “Patron Saint of New York.” Clement Clark in 1822 wrote “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” for his three daughters. Yep, you guessed it! We now know it as “‘Twas the night Before Christmas.”

Early in the 19th century, stores began to advertise Christmas shopping, and by the 1840s, newspapers created holiday advertisements that featured images of the newly popular Santa Claus. Stores began to feature a “live” Santa Claus to attract children and families.

In 1881 political cartoonist Thomas Nast created a cartoon in Harper’s Weekly, which portrayed Santa with his red suit, white beard, and his rotund figure. Mrs. Claus was also created, along with the North Pole workshop and elves. Over time, the popularity of Santa Claus inspired the Salvation Army in the 1890s to hire unemployed men dressed in Santa suits to solicit donations on the streets of New York to pay for free Christmas meals for needy families. Ever since, we have shopping mall Santas and bell ringers in cities across the United States.

Bell ringers for the Salvation Army are helping families right here in North Idaho. One woman ringing the bell I met at the Fred Meyer store said she is working two jobs to make ends meet for her family. She said there is a growing need here and wanted to help personally by sponsoring individuals and families in need. Until she wins the lottery, she is doing what she can. This is the true spirit of the season.

For all of us who were on duty Christmas past, and all of you on duty this Christmas, the words of this song ring truly in our hearts. It was recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby and was written to honor soldiers overseas who longed to be home for Christmas. Composer Walter Kent provided the melody and Kim Gannon the lyrics. Here they are:

I’ll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree

Christmas eve will find me

Where the lovelight gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

Merry Christmas everybody! Ho Ho Ho.

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Jack Evensizer is a resident of Dalton Gardens.