ELVES!!!!
When you hear Santa and the North Pole you can’t help the picture that may be forming in your head. From The Polar Express to Elf elves are duplicated to be the old man's right hand man, or woman. Without their help working through the year the magic of Christmas seemingly wouldn’t exist. But who are the elves? Where did they come from, and how did they come to work for jolly old St. Nick?
Elves did not originate with the story of Santa. They are first from Scandinavia. Elves were referred to as the same thing as garden gnomes. They would be placed outside of homes to guard against evil. However, just because you placed them there means that’s what they’ll do. Elves are very mischief beings, and like to do what they want. If they are good they will be good to you, but they can always turn nasty especially when they aren’t treated well. If the elf is bad they will be very mischievous and play pranks.
In Norse mythology fairies, elves, and leprechauns were all the same thing. They were shapeshifters with magical abilities that would sometimes be tied to magic mushrooms. They were rumored to live in either the Heavens, forests, meadows, hallowed trees, or villages built up in the mountains. They were pranksters and loved to trick others. Males would look like old men and maidens would appear young and beautiful.
The idea of elves working for Santa came to be in the mid 1800s. Said to be youthful and immortal with magic powers that can control what you see and experience it’s no shock they can be referred to as Santa’s secret agents. Whether caring for the reindeer, building toys, or ensuring that the 24 hour trip goes well elves are the background workers of Christmas. On January 6 elves would light up their torches and come down from their villages to play in hidden fields to celebrate the last day of Christmas.
The story of elves working for Santa was supported even more with the story, The Elf on a
Shelf. An elf is placed on the shelf to watch the child throughout the year. They act as watchers for Santa. Ensuring that the children behave during the year, and return towards Christmas to say whether they’ve been naughty or nice. The story was created in 2004 and has grown in popularity through the years.
Without elves it would be hard for the magic of Christmas to run as smoothly as it does every year. When treated with respect, as anything, you will receive it. While even just a mythical creature there’s no proof to say that they aren’t real. So don’t forget about them! Maybe when you leave out the cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer you’ll throw in something extra for them.
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WORKS CITED
“A History of Elves.” Google, Google, www.google.com/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/39689-history-of-elves.html.
“Origin and Secrets of Christmas Elves.” Google, Google, www.google.com/amp/s/www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/history/elves.htm.
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