The timeless legend of Santa Claus began more than fifteen centuries ago in Asia minor. In the city of Myra there lived an early Christian bishop...Nicholas. Much revered for his generosity and performance of miracles, his fame soon spread. In a few hundred years Saint Nicholas became one of the most popular religious figures in Europe, patron saint of Russia and the traditional bearer of gifts during the Yuletide season. The kindly bishop was originally portrayed in his clerical garb...long white robes and colorful cloak. As time passed, each land began to visualize the saint in its own way and to surround him with regional customs and stories.
Because Christianity was quite new, its legends were often interwoven with ancient pagan traditions and characters. Great Britain's Father Christmas combined stories of Saint Nicholas with those of Roman and Norse Gods. Always portrayed as a large and dignified man, he was elegantly costumed in rich fur-lined robes. It was Father Christmas who brought food, wine, and good fortune for the new year, so he was sometimes pictured carrying a festive bowl of punch. Like a Nordic God, he rode through the winter sky on a snow white steed and it was not until the late 19th century that literature (Clement Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas") supplied him with a sled and reindeer.
It was possibly in 12th century France that the bringing of gifts in the name of Saint Nicholas first originated. In the central provinces, nuns of local convents began the practice of secretly leaving gifts of food at the homes of needy families on Saint Nicholas Eve. The custom of holiday gift giving spread and was soon observed by all. In time a uniquely Gallic version of Saint Nicholas developed. Through the starlit Christmas night kindly old Pere Noel made his long journey. He sometimes carried gifts in a traditional grape gathering basket. Children left their shoes (or stockings) by the fireplace in the hope he would fill them with special treats...fruits, nuts, and toys.
Children of the Netherlands left their large wooden shoes on the hearth and awaited the Christmas visit of Sinterklass (Saint Nicholas ). He was said to travel from home to home rewarding good children and punishing the naughty ones. The sack of toys and bundle of switches which he carried prepared him for either possibility. When the Dutch brought their Christmas to the new world, Sinterklass gradually became integrated with the holiday traditions of English and German fellow settlers. It was not long before he was being called "Santa Claus" and was just a few steps away from the jolly gift-giver we know today as "Santa Claus".
In Bavarian Germany, the bearer of holiday gifts was the "Christkindt" or Christ Child. He was accompanied by an elderly helper who, with lantern in hand, guided him through the dark December night. In time, the gentle old man became known as Kris Kringle and it was for him that children waited expectantly each Christmas eve. Kris Kringle always carried a small fir tree, the symbol of life in the cold of winter, The belief was that he entered through an open window, trimmed the tree and left his gift of toys and ginger bread. Finally, he rang a little bell to let the family know of his departure.
The Children of early European settlers believed that St. Nicholas would visit them in their new country just as he had in their homelands. As a result America's image of Santa Claus, like America itself, was a blending of many ethnic contributions. In the 18th and 19th centuries he was portrayed as everything from a mitered and solemn bishop to an intrepid journeyer on snow shoes. But it matters not how he is pictured or by what name he is called. Santa Claus, the dream spinner and gift-giver, is a beloved part of the holiday season. He will always be the personification of Christmas...a spirit of sharing, giving, and loving.
This page is derived from a Newton eBook. I have changed the graphics to my own liking. The original acknowledgement is below:
This Newton digital book is in the public domain. The text and graphics in this book are from a variety of public domain sources with subsequent editing by Jonathan Knowles. Permission is hereby granted to download or otherwise redistribute this digital book freely, provided appropriate credit is given. Happy Holidays! Jonathan Knowles 12/93