Everyone knows Santa Claus, the old man with a jolly laugh and a red and white suit who knows whether you’ve been bad or good. But just exactly who is Santa Claus?
According to History.com, Santa Claus—otherwise known as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle—has a long history steeped in Christmas traditions. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century when Saint Nicholas walked the earth and became the patron saint of children.
So how did this Saint become synonymous with being a major symbol of Christmas? In 1773 and 1774 December, a Dutch family in New York gathered in his name in honor of his death anniversary in New York.
The actual name, Santa Claus, comes from a nickname for St. Nicholas. It comes from his Dutch name Sinter Klaas, and in 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting.
The tradition of Santa as we know him today was started by Coca-Cola in 1931. His imagery became official with the red suit and being a big man inspired by Clement Clark Moore’s poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas.
So, how did a nearly 100-year-old Christmas campaign continue to be the mascot of Christmas in the West? The same reason why Christmas music from the 1800s is still popular and why we do certain things during this season: the whimsy and wonder of it all. He embodies that feeling of the season, but his story and what he represents are so much more than toys and sleigh bells.
Think about it: for years children have been given gifts that say from Santa to the child. The parents who bought the gifts and wrapped them for their children watch in joy as the child lights up when they see a Santa gift. This shows the spirit of giving. He represents generosity, kindness and the joy of giving without expecting anything. The parents aren’t expecting to be thanked for the gift and that’s what it’s for.
My family still does this. Though most of the grandkids are grown up, we still get a Santa gift because of the representation of the giving spirit. Every time someone gives to an angle tree, donates to those in need, or spreads the cheer for those who are less fortunate, they are keeping the spirit of Santa alive.
