The origins of Santa’s beard
Aside from reindeer, and a red cloak, the one thing usually associated with Santa is a long white beard.
In 2019 the beard is usually fake, but Santa’s beard does have, more or less, factual origins.
The Daily Telegraph noted in 2007:
One can trace the famous growth back to iconic images of Saint Nicholas of Myra (circa 270-343), the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Father Christmas.
The article goes on to call for Santa to shave his beard off because it is bad for his image underlining that the Telegraph is consistent in its unpleasantly right-wing views.
The commercial image of Santa, promoted by Coca Cola, is based on St Nicholas.
Once delves back into the religious origins of the Santa beard things become distinctly less progressive still.
The Church Mouse has written a useful guide to the theological basis of Santa’s beard:
Perhaps in 2019 it is best to stick to a non-religious, non-commercial Santa, who does nevertheless have a genuine beard.
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