Info about Santa Claus
Santa Claus history
Everybody knows Santa Claus and everybody loves him, especially children. But grown- ups are very fond of Santa as well, mostly the ones who are good throughout the year and hope Santa will reward them for the effort. Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas or simply Santa is a famous figure who, in western cultures, comes on Christmas Eve, December 24 or on Saint Nicholas night and brings gifts to the children who have been good and have listened all their parents have told them.
The legend of Santa Claus has the roots in the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, who was a gift giver. An identical story is attributed to the Byzantine and Greek folklore, the name being the Basil’s feast, the exchange of gifts on January the 1st. As mentioned, it all started with Nicholas, who was born in Patara, near Turkey today, in the year 280 AD. He was born in a wealthy Christian family, was very pious and kind and in a short while he became very popular and many legends were born. He had inherited a large property that was used to help the poor and the sick. Nicholas became bishop of Myra and he would anonymously go in the parishes during the night to make sure everybody as well fed and happy. One night, he heard a family complaining about the fact they were misfortunate and poor, having to sell the three sisters into slavery or prostitution, since their father didn’t have enough money to buy them anything, not even food or clothes or a suitable dowry. To save them from stress and shame, Nicholas secretly threw 3 purses of gold from their chimney that night.
Later, Nicholas became the protector of sailors and children and he became more and more popular, especially in the Renaissance time, becoming a saint. Even if Protestants discouraged the veneration of saints, Nicholas still remained very popular and his giving nature was then attributed to Santa Claus, or Father Christmas.
While Saint Nicholas was portrayed in the robe of a bishop, Santa is seen as a jolly, plump, white bearded old man, wearing red clothes with white collars and cuffs, with a black leather belt and shoes. The image of Santa has become popular in the 19th century, mostly in Canada and the United States, due to the influence of Thomas Nast, a famous caricaturist. The image of Santa has been maintained and reinforced through media, like songs, radio, films or television and it developed more in Europe, where it was known as Father Christmas.
The modern legend says Santa lives in the North Pole, with his wife, Mrs. Claus, having a countless number of magical elves who help him with the presents for children, and with eight or nine reindeers that pull his sleigh full of presents when he goes to deliver them to the children who have been good.
No matter what the legend says, children are terribly happy waiting for Santa on Christmas, to bring them toys and sweets and it is important to let them believe in this great childhood story, to let them enjoy it.