We have all grown up with Santa Claus. It’s a little difficult, if not impossible to miss Santa around Christmas time. In fact, some church groups may say there’s too much Santa and not enough of the true reason of Christmas. But what many may not know if it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian Church, not only would we not have Christmas, but we also wouldn’t have Santa Claus.
Nicholas lived during the late A. D. 200's and early to mid 300's. He was a Greek born in present day Turkey. There is some debate concerning the names of his parents, but most if not all accounts agree that they died during an epidemic while he was still young. He was then raised by his uncle, a bishop, thus possibly encouraging Nicholas to become a bishop himself.
As a saint, he has several miracles attributed to him. Some sound as though they are most likely to be true, simply because we have Biblical evidence of God working similar miracles. Calming a raging storm and healing a fallen sailor. Providing food during a famine. Then there are some that I at least find difficult to believe because of the lack of Biblical evidence of it happening before. Three travelers, or small children, being raised from the dead after they had been chopped into pieces? I’m trying not to say that it is impossible. Who knows, maybe God used Nicholas to perform such a miracle, but I’m not sure since I am not aware of a Biblical account where something like that happened.
But the deeds that led him to becoming synonymous with Santa Claus were not his miracles, but his generosity. He would regularly give gifts to the poor. The giving he is most famous for also is considered as the origin of the Christmas stocking. A poor man didn’t have the money needed for his three daughters to properly wed. So, Nicholas secretly gave a bag of money for each daughter. It is debated whether it as at once, over three nights, or each year one of the daughters came of age. But in most tales, the youngest is drying her stockings by the fireplace and by chance the final moneybag lands in one. (Thus why modern Santa Claus tends to fill stockings.)
As I was doing the basic research for this post, I discovered that the final image of Santa Claus has had some help. Possibly the earliest influence aside from Saint Nicholas is the Norse god, Odin, who delivered gifts during midwinter. Aside from this, which is undated, I don’t believe that there is any other figure that could be responsible for the various images of Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or whatever each country calls him. :-)
Now, this is merely an introduction to what I hope to do this December. I would like to have a look at Santa Claus through time and maybe even different countries. Now personally, even as a child, I didn’t believe in Santa Claus, but I enjoyed imagining that he really existed. I guess it’s because of this make-believe that I enjoy not only the classic Santas of traditional songs and poems, even some of those crazy/silly cartoons of yesteryear, but also such modern renditions as The Polar Express and Rise of the Guardians (I do intend to one day try reading the Guardians of Childhood series). So I guess you could even say that I just may try to capture the childhood magic this familiar character holds. Because that is what he has become over the years.
I was actually raised wholeheartedly on the Nativity, Baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the wisemen, so I never was told that it was Santa and his reindeer that brought the presents. But I love Christmas and all the wonder and magic it holds. I will forever hold the Christ Child and His ultimate sacrifice and victory close to my heart. However . . . the inner child who loves the idea of discovering fairies, loves magic at the end of rainbows, maybe even the thought of entering another world will also hold the legends and stories of Santa Claus in a special place inside of her.
Well, I’ll wrap this up for now. So until next time, have a happy Christmas Season.
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