Father Christmas appears …
Perth Ontario’s Festival of Good Cheer had a special guest in the person of Father Christmas, who made his first official appearance on the streets of the town. Call him what you want … a Green Man, Father Winter or the more traditional Father Christmas, it proves to be a wonderful opportunity to meet visitors to Perth and speak about the traditions of the first Christmas in that heritage community. The role is a new addition to the work of Brent McLaren (and his wife Shelley), the Perth Town Crier.
The traditions of “green” and “wassail” put the festive into the winter season. Most countries had some tradition of bringing greenery, song and celebration into the darkest months of the year. In the early 1600′s this blended together into what the British called “Father Christmas.” It would take the Victorians to both perfect it, and then change it. Charles Dickens both set the tone and moved added new traditions in A Christmas Carol. The Ghost of Christmas Present was the second of the three spirits that haunted the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, in order to prompt him to repent. According to Dickens’ novel, the Ghost of Christmas Present appears to Scrooge as “a jolly giant” with dark brown curls. He wears a fur-lined green robe and on his head a holly wreath set with shining icicles. He carries a large torch, made to resemble a Cornucopia, and appears accompanied by a great feast. True to the ancient traditions, the ghost finally disappears at the stroke of midnight on Twelfth Night.
Perth’s Father Christmas continues the ancient tradition of wishing everyone “Waes Hael” … which is Olde English for “Good Health” or simply, “Be Well!” He must never be confused with Santa Claus … that is the one blending that the Victorians themselves started in the 1890′s. No! No! … Dressed in his long green robes, Perth’s Father Christmas reminds us that the season is about enjoying the time we spend with family, with friends and even with our visitors. Father Christmas will be seen at many different events throughout the heritage community in the month of December, and true to form, will disappear for another year on the twelfth night of Christmas.
As new photos of heritage Perth’s latest addition to their historic traditions arrive we will keep them posted here … <click to go to his Gallery!>