Christmas has transformed into both a religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Have you wondered how Santa Claus became a part of Christmas traditions?
There was a real Santa Claus (ST. Nicholas) long ago. Nicholas became a bishop sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was a kind and genrous young man. He inherited a fortune which he used to help people in need.
He wore a long red robe and a red hat and travelled on horseback to neighboring villages. He would travel to nearby villages helping the families and their children. Children would see him coming and come to greet him.
In one village, bishop Nicholas heard about a man who had fallen on hard times. He had three daughters and didn't have money for a dowry so that they could get married.
One night, Nicholas crept up to the home where the family lived. He secretly tossed bags of gold down the chimney. Earlier that day, the three sisters had hung their newly washed stockings by the fireplace to dry. One bag of gold that Nicholas dropped fell into one of the stockings below.
As the story of these three sisters spread from village to village, other people began to hang their stockings by the fire, hoping to find a secret gift when they awoke the next morning. People all over the world began to celebrate, hanging stockings by the fire and waking to find them filled with candy, fruit, nuts or toys.
The American name for him, Santa Claus, comes from the Dutch pronounciation of St. Nicholas which is Sinterklaas. Santa became a modified version of the Famous Nicolas of Myra. In 1823, his appearance and mannerisms changed to become today's Santa Claus, made famous by the poem, "The Night Before Christmas." written by Clement Clarke Moore. Later still, the beverage company, Coca-Cola hired an artist to depict a Santa Claus drinking coca-cola. They insisted that he be fashioned wearing a Bright Red (Coca-cola color) suit.
So, although there is no more Santa Claus, there was a real Santa Claus long ago. Many people choose to continue to celebrate Santa and the "Christmas Spirit." Whatever you choose, please don't forget the real reason for the season. We are celebrating the Birth of our Saviour, Jesus.
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