We’re entering a week with profound meaning to millions of people. Our first thought is gratitude for our associates, who have been Santa’s helpers for the past few weeks, and it’s not over yet. Hanukkah has ended, Solstice is taking place and Christmas eve, and Christmas day are coming right up. After that comes Kwanza.
Millions of gifts are bring ordered online and when orders are placed for the products of one of AMS Fulfillment’s clients… we pick, pack and ship it, and we do it quickly and efficiently. That’s what we do! We help Santa!
Our second thought as we enter this week is peace. Peace on Earth. Peace within ourselves, peace in the home, peace in the place of employment, peace in the community and in the country – Peace on Earth. This is the profound prayer offered during this Christmas week, and we join with millions to envision our world at peace.
Some History
We decided to look and see how the traditions we enjoy got their start. We visited the History website [LINK] for some interesting information.
“Christmas, celebrated annually on December 25, is a sacred religious holiday as well as a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For roughly two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature.
“Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Christmas Day—which falls on Thursday, December 25, 2025—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.”
How Did Christmas Start?
The article went on to talk about how today’s celebrations got their start. One of the focal points, for hundreds of years, was the Winter Solstice. People in the Northern hemisphere have celebrated at this time as they knew its significance to their lives – longer and warmer days will come. The article points to the Norse celebration of Yule, where people feasted for several days starting on the Winter solstice. Some other elements went into the celebration as well:
“The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year were finally fermented and ready for drinking.
“In Germany, people honored the pagan god Odin during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Odin, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.”
Where did Santa come from?
Speaking of flights through the sky… who invented Santa Claus? We asked Wikipedia [LINK] and saw that there was a 4th-century Christian bishop called Saint Nicholas, who was the patron saint of children, known for generosity and gift-giving. Here below is a bit of information about how we got the image of the jolly man in a sleigh flying through the air:
“This image originated in the United States during the 19th century, after Dutch settlers brought the legend of Sinterklaas (“Saint Nicholas”) to 17th-century New Amsterdam (present-day New York City). The 1823 American poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, written by an anonymous author, recounts Saint Nicholas arriving at the author’s home on Christmas Eve in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. The poem laid the foundation for modern depictions of Santa Claus, strengthening the association between Santa Claus and Christmas. Over time, this connection has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children’s books, family Christmas traditions, films, and advertising.”
The End and the Beginning
We’re reaching the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. AMS Fulfillment has enjoyed an excellent 2025, once again with gratitude for the labor and dedication of our associates. They provide services to our valued clients, and they do so with care and a considerable amount of energy.
At AMS Fulfillment we are grateful for our associates, our clients, our communities and our beautiful world, and we consider all as having a voice in our decisions. Happy Christmas to all of our associates and clients who celebrate the holiday. Happy Christmas to all of the customers who received their orders right on time! We are more than happy to be Santa’s helpers! May there be Peace on Earth!
