It’s about that time of the year again… The breeze blows a little cooler and the palm trees are adorned with blinking bulbs… Light up signs urging you to “celebrate the season” are displayed on every other lawn. We may not experience the same intensity of the seasonal shift down here in Eastern Central Florida, but the holiday cheer is every bit as present – as is the need to plan and prepare our homes (and fireplaces) for a certain visitor dressed in red. After all, when was the last time you had your chimney professionally looked over and swept out?
Before we get into the not-so-interesting details of such a vital pre-burning season service, however, we first thought we’d take a brief look at the history of Santa Claus. Where his origin stems from, when the stories began, and just why the heck he chooses chimneys as his preferred point of entry.
And remember, when it comes to your hearth appliance, only trust two people in your chimney – Santa and me, Joe Shear. Book an appointment with Legendary Chimney Solutions through our website, or give us a call at 386-999-1329 to get started.
Why Does Santa Use a Chimney?
Like so many other urban legends and multi-cultural folklore tales, the nativity of Santa Claus and his unconventional mode of entering homes is a bit challenging to accurately pin down.
Some legends believe this notion came from a time when many homes did not have a front door or accessible windows, leaving chimneys as more or less the only way in and out. Other stories reference the widespread European cultural belief of the 15th century that chimneys and fireplaces are somehow inherently linked to the magic of witchcraft – a sort of liminal space between our earthly world and the spirit realm beyond.
The 1400s were rife with the fear of magic and the unknown. To rectify the fear of evil or magical folks – like witches – passing through solid objects and into homes, French scholar Petrus Mamoris explained that these creatures simply utilized the chimney instead. Ever since then, the hearth has not only been viewed as the heart and center of the home, but also as a symbol of our connection to the supernatural.
It wasn’t until the early 1800s when the man as we know him today slid down his first chimney in Washington Irving’s book, A History of New York. So, while it may have taken a few hundred more years to first see representation of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas utilizing a chimney flue to enter the homes of good and bad children over here in the States, the fireplace as a front door to magic and wonder is anything but new.
A Brief History of Kris Kringle Himself
While his infamous chimney climbing might not be all that old (in terms of the greater historical context), the legend of the Santa Claus character itself has been around centuries longer. In many ways, Santa is an amalgamation of a handful of different culture’s mythical stories – all based loosely on Saint Nicholas: a 4th century Christian saint who became the patron saint for children based on his generosity, kindness, and particular attention to caring for and protecting them.
A derivative of the Dutch name for the saint (“Sinterklaas”), the name Santa Claus didn’t actually come onto the scene until the late 1700s and didn’t become widespread until even later. Irving’s book published in 1809 might have been the first step in creating this Christmas cultural phenomenon, but it was Clement Clark Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (more popularly known as the classic “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas) poem that really made it – the name, the image, and the societal significance – stick.
Is Your Chimney Ready for Santa’s Arrival?
Pretty crazy, huh? The way in which legends change and grow over time, weaving the fabric of our country’s tapestry into something bigger, grander, and more relevant to life today. And while lots has certainly changed over the last few centuries, the general form and function of a chimney has not. Despite the introduction of bold new technology and other advancements, hearth appliances require regular, annual maintenance and attention to ensure they are operating properly and performing at their safest and most efficient.
Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas or spend the last month and a half of every year cleaning and prepping for the season’s most awaited guest, it’s vitally important to stay on top of your preventative maintenance services like chimney cleaning (sweeping) and inspections. Fortunately, if you’re a homeowner in the Eastern Central Florida area, the dedicated and knowledgeable crew at Legendary Chimney Service can help.
Book Your Annual Cleaning with Legendary Chimney Solutions & Repair
To book your annual chimney sweep service before the holidays are officially in full swing, get in touch with a member of our team right here online, or you can give us a call at 386-999-1329. We’ll make sure your system is not only safe to use, but is clean and ready for Santa’s descent.
Stay safe this season and only trust Joe Shear and his team of professionals when it comes to all things home heating and hearth appliances. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to yours!
Recent Comments