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Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Santa and Santy) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve.
- The Legend of St. Nicholas: The Real Santa Claus. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D.
- Sinter Klaas Comes to New York. St. Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century. In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death.
- Shopping Mall Santas. Gift-giving, mainly centered around children, has been an important part of the Christmas celebration since the holiday’s rejuvenation in the early 19th century.
- ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a long Christmas poem for his three daughters entitled “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known as “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.”
Apr 19, 2024 · Santa Claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of Christmas in the United States and other countries, bringing gifts to children. His popular image is based on traditions associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- What does Santa Claus look like?Today’s most common depiction of Santa Claus is of a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, bla...
- Where does Santa Claus live?Santa Claus is said to live at the North Pole with his wife, where he spends the year making toys with the help of his elves. There he receives let...
- Where did Santa Claus come from?The Dutch are credited with transporting the legend of St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam (now New York City), along with the custom of gi...
- When does Santa Claus arrive?It is said that on Christmas Eve Santa Claus loads his sleigh with toys and flies around the world, drawn by nine reindeer. Stopping at each child’...
- Is it possible to meet Santa Claus?While it is tough to catch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve when he is said to come down the chimney, it is possible to spot Santa in shopping malls an...
Dec 25, 2018 · Learn how the historical figure of St. Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop from Turkey, became the modern icon of Christmas. Explore the origins, evolution, and cultural variations of Santa Claus across time and place.
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- Brian Handwerk
Dec 22, 2020 · The story of Santa Claus seems to be a tale as old as time, but the Christmas icon actually has his roots in a real-life person—the Catholic figure of St. Nicholas.
Dec 24, 2020 · The real story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas (270 – 343 AD), who was born in the village of Patara, an area which was once Greek but is now part of Turkey. He was born to wealthy parents, who died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Nicholas used his entire inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.
Dec 21, 2023 · Learn how Santa Claus evolved from St Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian saint, to a secular icon of generosity and kindness. Explore the cultural and religious influences that shaped his image and traditions across time and space.
