Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply "Santa", is a legendary figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24.
Santa Claus hasn't always looked like the jolly old fellow we know today. Like so many other American traditions, he's a product of the great American melting pot - a blend of many different cultures and customs. His earliest ancestors date back to pre-Christian days, when sky-riding gods ruled the earth.
The American version of the Santa Claus figure received its inspiration and its name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought by settlers to New York in the 17th century.
As early as 1773 the name appeared in the American press as "St. A Claus," but it was the popular author Washington Irving who gave Americans their first detailed information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas.
But the most influential figure in the shaping of today's generous as loving Santa Claus was a real man. St. Nicholas of Myra (now Turkey), a fourth century bishop. As a champion of children and the needy, he was legendary for his kindness and generosity.
According to this legend, there were three Italian maidens whose families had fallen on hard times. Because their father could not afford the dowries necessary for them to marry, he was considering selling one of his daughters into slavery to get dowries for the other two. When the good saint heard of the family's plight, he went to their home late one night and anonymously tossed three bags of gold down the chimney. Miraculously, a bag fell into each of the sisters stockings, were hanging by the fire to dry. His kindhearted gift made it possible for all three sisters to marry.
A variation of this story is that as each girl was ready to wed, St. Nicholas came in the middle of the night when no one could see him and tossed a bag of gold through an open window into her stocking. The idea of gifts being delivered through an open window may have begun as a way to explain how Santa enters homes that have no chimney.
One legend associated with Santa says that he lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow. The American version of Santa Claus says that he lives at his house on the North Pole, while Father Christmas is often said to reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland Province, Finland. Santa Claus lives with his wife Mrs. Claus, a countless number of magical elves, and eight or nine flying reindeer. 
Another legend of Santa says that he makes a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior ("naughty" or "nice") and that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other gifts to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer who pull his sleigh.
The basic myth about Santa Claus is this: on the night before Christmas, Santa Claus visits the homes of all of the good boys and girls. He leaves them presents under the tree and fills their stockings with goodies. When the children awaken, they find all of the gifts that Santa Claus has left them. Most children who know the tale of Santa Claus believe that if they are on their best behavior all year long then they will receive whatever gifts they ask for. Some even go as far as mailing a letter to Santa Claus containing their wish list of presents. They upon Christmas morning, they are surprised to open most of what they had asked for.
Most parents pass on the story of Santa Claus to their children from birth. Then their children grow up believing in the spirit of Santa Claus and pass it on to their children. Adults love to see the expression on their children’s faces as they see the presents under the tree on Christmas morning. It gives them a feeling of happiness.
That is why the spirit of Santa Claus lives on today and will probably continue throughout the ages. The belief in Santa Claus is that strong, especially among children. Adults might not necessarily believe in the man but they do believe in the spirit. To believe in Santa Claus is to believe in giving, love and unselfishness. Christmas time is the one time each year where almost everyone all over the world gives to one another. It is the season of unselfishness. So the spirit of Santa Claus is the spirit of love.
Sinter Klaas, Father Christmas or Père Noël. Whatever the name, Santa's spirit is loved around the world!
Australia: Father Christmas / Saint Nick
Belgium: Kerstman
Brazil: Papai Noel
Canada: Santa Claus / Saint Nick
China: Shengdan Laoren / Dun Che Lao Ren
Czechoslovakia : Svaty Miklas
Denmark: Julemanden
Holland: Sinter Klaas
Egypt: Papa Noel
England: Father Christmas
Finland: Joulupukki
France: Pere Noel
Germany: Pelznickel / Christtindl / Rauklas
Greece: Hagios Nikolaos
Hungary: Mikulas
India: Santa Claus / Ganesha
Iran: Baba Noel
Italy: Babbo Natale / Befana
Japan: Hoteisho / Santa Kurousu
Mexico : San Nicolás / Santa
Netherlands: Kertsman
New Zealand: Father Christmas
Norway: Julenissen
Peru: Papai Noel
Poland: Gwiazdor
Portugal: Pai Natal
Russia: Ded Moroz / Kolyada
Spain: Papa Noel
Sweden: Jultomten
Switzerland : Saint Nicholas / Chriskind
Turkey: Noel Baba
United States: Santa Claus
Have a very Merry Christmas... Ho Ho Ho..!!!
Author: Neha Gandhi | Published Dec 23, 2009 | 06:07 PM
A fun loving person, complete movie buff, HR by profession now getting a hang of PR...
Also read
Premiere of Irfan Kamal’s Award Winning Movie ‘Thanks Maa’A Preview of Prashant Verma’s “Love Song”
Best Quotes on Sachin Tendulkar (Part 3)
If Cricket is religion, Sachin is God
Lazy Saturdays at Olive Bar & Kitchen
Comments
I love the tale of Santa Claus and how it differs from country to country. Like you said, there is a certain mystical feeling that Adults, though they don't believe in Santa himself, still believe in. I have started trying to spark a greater interest in my children regarding the spirit of Santa with www.letterbysanta.com. Every year I send them a fun little letter from santa. Even though they're past the age of believing in the man, they can still believe in the fun and imaginative spirit of him, right? I might seem a little silly, but I think my kids at least get a good kick out of it. lol.
By Sarah | Jul 09, 2010 | 08:19 PM | Login to flag comment