How did Santa come to be?

Santa Claus

The story of Santa Claus starts with the Legend of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was believed to be born on 280 AD near modern-day Myra, Turkey. He is known for giving his inherited wealth to children and others in need. Once, he threw money into a peasant girl's house to use as dowry for her wedding, to save her from becoming a slave or prostitute. The money was said to have landed in a stocking hanging to dry by the fire, and soon people everywhere were hanging stockings by the fire hoping that they would get gifts too. St. Nicholas died on December 6th and this became his saint's day. St. Nicholas's day was celebrated with gift giving in the Christian world. This celebration combined with Christmas, and St. Nicholas would have different names and looks. In Holland, his name was Sinter Klaas, and when immigrants from Holland moved to America, the tradition came with them, renames Santa Claus. At first, images of Santa Claus had his signature beard and he held presents, but in A Night Before Christmas Santa was described as plump and jolly, and the modern image of Santa was born. Now we see the image of Santa everywhere, giving children presents by going down the chimney. Do you think the modern day Santa is too far away from the original Saint Nicholas?



Watch this video to learn more about how Santa came to be: