CU, this site looks as though it draws from the same source as your original post. I notice it says the Wild Man is more Dionysian than the Green, interesting stuff, all of this!

Yes... Ms. Siefker points out that Dionysus is one of the more ancient forms of Wild Man (I think "Wild Man" is more a term for a type of supernatural being rather than one specific figure -- like the term "sun god" ... Apollo and Ra are both sun gods, for example ... the Green Knight and Dionysus are both Wild Men).

Uncle Homer?!? So Santa is going to morph to round and yellow as a beach ball?! Ewwww! **BG**

Well, the name of the Simpson family dog is "Santa's Little Helper" ... Coincidence? Maybe... maybe not. ;-)

Speaking of morphing, though: I think that just the fact that Nicholas has gone from bogey man to frighten children to gentle old uncle that everyone wants to have in their family is just more evidence that he does represent the force of Nature.

Way back in the days when these traditions were first focused on by the lens of history, winter was a harsh and deadly time, and it was rare that every family member who saw the last harvest feast would see the next new planting -- the very old and the very young were both liable to die. It is thoroughly understandable then, that the personification of Winter's power was seen as equally deadly and fickle.

Now that we have central heating and cooling, and supermarkets and refrigeration, we see nature not as a threat, but as the generous provider of all our bounty. And Santa, still the personifican of that power, has likewise changed in our eyes... Though if you've ever been to 'Santa Land' in any mall recently, you know that small children are still frightened of him -- perhaps they recognize instictively that he represents a force even bigger than their parents....