The legend of Santa Claus is rooted in generosity
What do we know about Santa Claus?
Children know him as that jolly old man who lives at the North Pole and comes down here every Christmas Eve to bring presents to them.
We adults know him in the same way, although strictly fictional. but where did this fictional character of good will really come from and how did he wind up in our American culture?
People of Christian faith often lament that while we pay a tremendous amount of attention to the legendary gift giving of Santa Claus and are often excessive in the material aspects of the Christmas season, too little interest is directed to the spiritual or religious aspects of the Christmastide.
While it may not be recognized today, the origin of the character we now know as Santa Claus actually had a very spiritual or religious beginning and it is reflected in one of the many names given to today’s Santa Claus… that is Saint Nicholas.
The true story of Santa Claus begins centuries ago with Nicholas, a devout Christian, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. the area was Greek at the time and is now the southern coast of Turkey.
The son of wealthy parents, Nicholas devoted his life to serving God and giving his wealth to the poor. he became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children and his concern for sailors and ships.
Through the centuries, the countless stories of his kindness became legendary, which explains why he is so beloved and revered as a protector and helper of those in need.
The anniversary of his death, Dec. 6, became a day of celebration, known as St. Nicholas Day. on that day in some European countries, the practice of gift giving takes place, thus, by giving gifts in early Advent, greater attention is directed on Dec. 25 to the Christ Child.
The Dutch legend referred to the giver of gifts as Sinter Klaas and early Dutch settlers brought the legend to New York in the 17th century and as early as 1773, the name appeared as St. A. Claus. popular author Washington Irving provided detailed information on Santa in 1809 when he described the saint’s arrival on horseback each Eve of Saint Nicholas.
He became fully Americanized in 1823 in the poem, “A Visit From Saint Nicholas,” better known as “The Night before Christmas” by writer Clement Clarke Moore who developed the identity of the reindeer and depicted Santa as returning to the chimney after his gift giving visit to a home. his reference to Santa came directly from Irving’s description in 1809.
The image of Santa Claus as we know him came about through the work of illustrator Thomas Nast, who depicted Santa as a rotund chap in Christmas issues of Harper’s magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s. he added details such as Santa’s workshop at the North Pole and his list of good and bad children throughout the world.
Today’s human-sized version of Santa, as opposed to the elf of Moore’s story, came about when Santa was depicted in a series of illustrations for Coca Cola advertisements. In today’s modern versions of Santa Claus, only his toy shop workers are depicted as elves.
A ninth reindeer, introduced in 1931, is Rudolph, featuring a red and shiny nose. he was added to the eight reindeer team by an advertisement for the Montgomery Ward co. in 1939.
So, whether we realize it or not, the legend of Santa Claus as we recognize him in this day and age has its beginning in the history of a true saint, Saint Nicholas, and we are not incorrect or irreverent when we refer to Santa by his original name, Saint Nicholas.
“What then is a benefit? it is the act of a well-wisher who bestows joy and derives joy from the bestowal of it, and is inclined to do what he does from the prompting of his own will.” Seneca the Younger (5? B.C. – A.D. 65).
Richard Cosgrove writes ‘As I was Saying’ on Tuesdays. he can be reached at explrr919@cs.com.
The legend of Santa Claus is rooted in generosity
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