Santa, a modern human shaman...

Buried in the artificial cartoon image of Santa and his reindeer lie traces of ancient shamanic beliefs. The winter solstice was observed and celebrated long before Christmas became a holy day, always with colourful gifts to ward off the darkness of winter. Shamans, like our Santa, were said to travel through chimneys in their journeys to the other world. Santa, our modern human shaman, cares for the reindeer all year long, until he journeys with them into our hearts, a spirit guide to keep hope alive in us. (from "Following The Reindeer Spirit" by Linda Schierse Leonard).