Today we acknowledge Santa Claus as he flies through the night skies bringing gifts to the good and ashes or coal to the bad. When the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was introduced to Christmas, our culture accepted him quickly and easily. He was a missing part of the old story.

Rudolph's Christmas Eve adventure brought the storm and drama of the Wild Hunt to the Twentieth Century. Shadows of Frey and Berchta fly with Santa and his sleigh as Rudolph leads them through the blizzard. It's interesting to note that while the song, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" describes "one foggy Christmas Eve" most stories and films portray Rudolph successfully braving and leading the chariot through turbulent snow and wind.

On Christmas Eve children leave carrots and cookies for the reindeer and Santa -- a respectful remnant of honoring Berchta, Frey and Guillinburst. The grand lighting of dramatic and huge Christmas trees create a mood of awe for the coming light, as did the ancient giant wheel of fire. It too lit up the night as it roared down the mountainside in the black night, spewing millions of dazzling sparks before it thundered and crashed into the sea.

Often children ask, "How does Santa get down the chimney? How can he travel all over the world in one night? How does he carry all the presents in one sleigh? "

Santa's sleigh may be a version of Frey's chariot. The Teutonic god could use his ship to travel on land, sea and air. And he could fold his chariot and put it in his pocket when necessary.

The Christmas season is special for children, the young life growing toward the future. Berchta has many children with her in her flight. They are the souls of dead children and the spirits of the unborn. Both live through renewal, rebirth and the beginning of a new cycle.

Joanna Poppink, M.F.C.C., licensed by the State of California in 1980, is a Marriage, Family, Child Counselor (License #15563). She has a private practice in Los Angeles where she works with adult individuals and couples. She specializes in working with people with eating disorders and with people who are trying to understand and help a loved on who has an eating disorder. Contact Information: 10573 West Pico Blvd. Suite 20 Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 474-4165 phone (310) 474-7248 fax