If Santa delivers gifts to the children of all the families celebrating Christmas around the world, how in the heck does he get it all done in one night?
Especially since he’s driving a sleigh with limited cargo space, powered by flying reindeer…which don’t appear to be flying at supersonic speeds.
Then there’s also the chimney thing. The whole story, no matter how wonderful and magical Santa is, just doesn’t add up.
Plus: If Santa enters all those houses in the dark of night through the chimney, what about all the houses that do *not* have a chimney?
Well, it has taken centuries to figure out how Santa gets it all done—but finally, we have answers.
Famous astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has, through careful research, figured out the mysterious ways of Santa Claus…
Santa is actually “whipping around the world and into the homes of good girls and boys via some wondrous wormholes.” The sleigh and reindeer, as cool as they are, is just a ruse…a decoy.
It could be because we can picture the sleigh and reindeer, even flying, but we have no idea what a wormhole looks like.
And if we’re busy watching the chimney, says Dr. deGrasse Tyson, we’re distracted from what Santa is really up to!
In any event, if the kiddos get anxious about Santa, especially if there’s no chimney at their house, there’s an easy way to calm them down…
Go on a search around the house to find the wormhole… By bedtime the kids will be so worn out they’ll sleep like angels!
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| Photo credit: the official website of Iceland |
So who is this jolly fellow? It’s not Santa!
If you’re impatient for Santa’s arrival—and really, who isn’t, with three more nights to wait!— how about another fun, old-timey holiday tradition…one that involves not an elf like Santa, but trolls?
It’s Iceland’s Yule Lads! This jolly guy is Stubby, one of the mischievous Yule trolls, celebrated from December 12 to Christmas Eve. The lads creep down from their mountain lair to the villages, one troll each night, to sneak around and steal whatever goodies they can lay their troll-y hands on.
Tonight, December 22, comes the Lad with the biggest nose, “Doorway Sniffer.” He comes to sniff the enticing aroma of cakes baking, and will hover at the door to sniff out any goodies he can steal. I’m starting another batch of cookies soon, so I will be sure to be on the lookout for him!
These trolls might not seem all that celebratory but what I really love is that they’re all about what’s really important about the Christmas holidays— contented sheep, and a house full of warmth, light and yummy holiday food.
No fancy gifts, food, or decorations required.
You can find the full Yule Lads’ story of naughty goings-on and pranks in my earlier posts, starting with “Countdown to Christmas…with the Yule Lads!” May your holidays be happy ones!
