A History of Santa Claus, Or, A History of Giving

In the 4^th Century A.D., there was a man named Nicholas born in Turkey (f/k/a Smyrna) centuries ago who became referenced as the Bishop of Myra. Myra was located on the southern Mediterranean seacoast that is now known as Turkey. Nicholas, whose death occurred on December 6, was very wealthy and giving. He loved children and was devoted to enriching the lives of the children who were poor, allegedly, he would toss gifts in their windows.

As one of the highest senior bishops, he assembled what was called the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) which created the New Testament. Nicaea, an ancient city in Asia Minor, was where this Council gathered to promote unity of the various Christian groups, all of which eventually led to adopting the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed is basically a faith statement including important phrases from the Council of Nicaea which is traditionally used.

In the year 1087, a group of sailors who had revered Nicholas carried his bones to a sanctuary in Italy from Turkey and it was there that he succeeded a gift-giving woman known as “The Grandmother” who was also greatly revered for placing gifts in the stockings of children. She was essentially replaced by the growing followers of Nicholas who would exchange gifts once a year on December 6 in remembrance of the day Nicholas had died. In time, the practice spread north. German and Celtic pagans had practiced temple worshipping which was led by a god named Woden who had a long white beard. He also rode a horse through the sky once a year in the fall. Eventually, Nicholas and Woden blended into one being who had a beard and rode a horse that could fly. The flying event that occurred annually began to occur in December into the winter from the fall.

In an effort to gain supporters in the northern parts of Europe, allegedly, the Roman Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas beliefs shared by his followers teaching that Nicholas did, indeed, as should all of his followers practice the giving of gifts on the December 25 instead of December 6. Thus, Nicholas became the patron saint for children and seafarers.

In history, there have been names spinning off of “Saint Nicholas.” For example, there is the Dutch legend of “Sinterklaas.” The people of Dutch descent who traveled to what used to be called New Amsterdam (now New York City) brought with them their tradition to the colonies during the 1600s.

In some Protestant areas of Germany, St. Nicholas was later known as "der Weinachtsmann." He was referenced as "Father Christmas" in England and by the time the Dutch reached the United States, he was known as "Santa Claus." And, as innocent as children can be, they started asking questions about Santa’s home when he isn't flying from rooftop to rooftop climbing down chimneys delivering gifts. This led to the practice of the tale that Santa resides at the North Pole where all the elves make the gifts in their workshop for children.

As a means to memorialize New York’s history and to also promote good cheer, author Washington Irving known for his Rip Van Winkle , was one of the founders of the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York. Interestingly, their first meeting in 1835 was on what we know as Valentine’s Day. Membership is still diverse and meetings are held annually achieving the goal to preserve New York’s historical heritage. Irving’s Knickerbocker History is a satire about the Dutch culture and he writes about Saint Nicholas under the Dutch name of Santa Claus who has a white beard and rides a flying horse.

In 1823, the poem as we know it, The Night Before Christmas, was written by Dr. Clement C. Moore. Originally, he titled it, A Visit from Saint Nicholas, and it was presented to his children as a holiday gift. Soon, it was printed in New York City newspaper, magazines, and even adopted into book form with illustrations. The Dutch version of Saint Nick really became Americanized with Dr. Moore’s poem and he probably never realized at that time how incredibly popular it would become. He wrote about Santa who descended down a chimney once his reindeer carried him to his destinations. So, then, we know Dr. Moore wrote this famous poem, but he didn’t invent Santa Claus. He did, however, bring him to life with his telling us how Santa ...

“…spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;”

As the popularity of Santa Claus grew in our American culture, an illustrator by the name of Thomas Nast came up with a multitude of images of a jolly happy figure for Harper’s Weekly during the period of 1860-1880. Nast could elaborate upon his illustrations with details that are particular to Santa and his whole North Pole workshop including elves and the beginning of “lists” of all the good and bad children.

Then starting in 1931, Coca Cola^® hired Swedish artist, Haddom Sundblom, to assist with their advertising by having Sundblom illustrate Santa as a human figure as opposed to the elf in Dr. Moore’s poem. The company wanted to have images of Santa drinking one of their colas which has proven to be a great advertising prop with Santa having a bright red suit that was fur trimmed.

Santa Claus, as so many of us have come to know him from our childhood days, is a source of happiness and joy. He represents the behavior and essence of giving. To see such joy on a child’s face that is so pure and real brings joy right back to the giver. From St. Nicholas and his caring and thoughtfulness to poor children to modern day giving to the needy, we all have a piece of Santa in us that celebrates faith, togetherness and the traditional giving of that which is embraced every year. It's a tradition we can share everyday by giving simple joy.