| A lot of what is widely regarded as true about | | | | do not reach their destinations around the globe by |
| Christmas or held as a tradition cannot or has not | | | | flying. |
| been verified, or, has changed through the years. Even | | | | Finland welcomes visitors to Santa's workshop but |
| Christmas Day itself, Dec. 25, has been questioned | | | | there is nothing said about whether visitors actually |
| about whether that is the exact day on which Jesus | | | | have any chance of having a word with the man |
| was born. Skeptics have asked why would shepherds | | | | himself. While the chances of doing so are believed to |
| be out in the cold watching their flocks by night during | | | | be non-existent, among the questions that inquiring |
| the winter. Those skeptics have put forward the | | | | minds could ask Santa is whether Rudolph is the son |
| thought that Jesus may really have been born in the | | | | of Donner (and to confirm the spelling - Donner or |
| spring instead. It is therefore little wonder that there are | | | | Donder) or whether Santa spotted him in a different |
| many fancy stories and tales that are told about | | | | reindeer village one foggy Christmas Eve when he |
| Christmas and the Christmas season. | | | | had already started on his Christmas toy-delivery |
| The most common fancy tale that everyone tells, | | | | mission. |
| particularly to children, is about Santa Claus, also called | | | | If mere mortals got a chance to question Santa, then |
| St. Nicholas. But even if it were accepted that Santa | | | | he also would likely have some questions for us |
| Claus existed, where does he live and how is he able | | | | humans. He may want to know whose idea was it to |
| to get to all the houses of good boys and girls on | | | | have Christmas trees and for the gifts to be placed |
| Christmas Eve? | | | | under them. |
| In the United States, Santa Claus is said to have two | | | | The tradition of Christmas tree as it exists today |
| homes. There is a home in Torrington, Connecticut, | | | | comes from Germany by way of immigrants. But it |
| which is used as a distribution point for Santa and his | | | | isn't clear how the tradition really gained a foothold in |
| many helpers, who are elves, to hand out gifts. And | | | | Germany. One story is that Christians in Germany |
| then, a second home is said to be located in | | | | during the 16th century started to bring trees that were |
| Wilmington, New York, and that is where Santa Claus | | | | decorated into their homes. Some of those Christians |
| and his delivery reindeer crew are located. | | | | would build pyramids for Christmas. The pyramids |
| But Santa can be visited in Cyberspace at anytime | | | | were made of wood and would be decorated with |
| and what about the widely held belief that Santa Claus | | | | evergreens and candles if wood was in short supply. |
| really lives in a village at the North Pole? | | | | It is however Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, who |
| The people of Finland also claim that their country is | | | | is said to have been the first to add lighted candles as |
| the official residence of Santa Claus. That's because in | | | | decoration to a tree based on his inspiration from the |
| Finland, you can actually visit a village any time during | | | | brilliant light of twinkling stars that shone through |
| the year and see Santa's workshop and observe | | | | evergreen trees as he walked home one winter |
| Santa and his elves hard at work as they prepare for | | | | evening. |
| their very important Christmas gift delivery job on | | | | As the legend goes, Martin Luther placed a tree in a |
| Christmas Eve. The only day when Santa's workshop | | | | primary room of his house and placed wires with small, |
| is closed to visitors is of course, on Christmas Eve. | | | | lighted candles around the branches of the tree. And |
| Maybe a very smart visitor could visit Santa's | | | | that is how, as the tale goes, the Christmas tree as |
| workshop on the day before Christmas Eve to see if | | | | known today, was started. |
| there are any clues to how Santa and his reindeers | | | | To learn about information on elephants and pictures |
| plan to make their trip the next day. That's because as | | | | of elephants, visit the About Animals website. |
| the tale goes, in Finland Santa Claus and his reindeers | | | | |