Little is known of him, but he is traditionally identified as a 4thcentury bishop of myra in asia minor. Weihnachtsmann holynightman is explained literally. This is an absolutely fantastic book if you are at all interested in the origins. Santa claus, also known as father christmas, saint nicholas, saint nick, kris kringle. The name santa claus came from sinterklaas, the dutch name for st. Nick has brought joy into many lives for over a thousand years. The real saint nicholas christian history christianity. Nicholas of bari once lived in asia minor, and died in either 345 or 352 ce. The personification of the spirit of christmas, usually represented as a jolly fat old man with a white beard and a. Artists have imagined his likeness for thousands of years.
Nicholas traveled the countryside giving his wealth to the poor and sick. The legend of santa claus was based on the life of st. The origin of santa when dutch settlers came to new amsterdam in the 1500s, they brought with them their tradition of st. Santa claus comes from the dutch words sinter klaas, which is what they call their favorite saint, st. Moore included such details as the names of the reindeer. The origin and evolution of santa claus original santa. A label, showing santa claus on a sleigh with reindeer, created by the u. The special presents an origin story for santa claus, who is depicted as a man named nicholas claus who wishes to give every child in the world a gift for christmas. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. The ancient visage of the various gift givers had many things in common but certainly the final product. Nicholas sinter klass, and this tradition spread more generally, the name being converted in the process to santa claus. The legend of santa claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named st. Whether you prefer to think of santa claus as an homage to the kind saint nicholas, as a magical elf who brings wonder into the hearts of children, or perhaps a little of both ideas, the legend of st.
For more information on the history and origin and santa claus, his reindeer, his helpers, his legend etc. Different from the saint, santa claus is a portly, joyous, fullbearded man. How refreshing that this has been created so the young may know the history of st. The legend behind santa claus is saint nicholas, the fourthcentury bishop of myra. December 6th is celebrated as his feast day, and in many countries this is the day he arrives with his presents and punishments. The story that santa claus lives at the north pole may also have been a nast creation. Dec 5, 2018 explore billmcinerny9s board history of st. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Nashs vision of santa had him living at the north pole. Even children point to the sky if you ask where santa claus on his sleigh comes from. The fantastic origin of santa claus by cody w urban. Heres a brief history of nicholas, and how you can add st.
There are two main, incompatible belief systems about st. Santa claus lore simple english wikipedia, the free. Over time, as word of saint nicholass charity and giving spread, the concept of secretly giving gifts to others grew and took on a life of its own. The history and origin of santa claus witness this. Friday the th superstitions the history and origin of halloween historical truths behind old english sayings. This is a wonderful article on the saint to santa dvd and program. He keeps an eye on children around the world and he knows if theyve been naughty or nice. Santa claus is also known as father christmas and saint nicholas. Origins of santa claus article about origins of santa.
His quest swept nicholas upon a grand adventure culminating in the fulfillment of his destiny. Santa claus appeared in the childrens book lill in santa claus land and other stories by ellis towne, sophie may and ella farman, published in boston in 1878. Compare images of saint nicholas to the pictures of modern santa claus. Santa claus has become the most beloved of christmas symbols and traditions. If youve ever been asked, who is saint nicholasif yo. This story of santa claus veers away slightly from the traditional stories of his beginnings. The fantastic origin of santa claus written by cody w urban is the thrilling exploration into the legends and myths behind numerous christmas traditions, from the norse yuletide to the. I saw mommy kissing santa claus penned in 1952 by jimmy boyd caught santa in the act for the first time. Nicholas gradually changed to that right jolly old elf described by clement clarke.
He was born to a wealthy family, but his parents died when he. The third is america and the creation of santa claus, which provides resources on the nineteenth and twentiethcentury creation of santa claus out of these preceding traditions. But his historical journey is even longer and more fantastic than his. A sweet little story about the origins of santa claus and his connection to christmas. Much debate revolves around the positive and negative aspects involved in the traditional use of the legend on young children. Nicholas became an important figure in holland, his influence withstanding the reformation in the 1500s, a time when honoring saints was shied away from. The history of santa claus begins with a man called saint nicholas, the bishop of myra in asia minor, in what is now turkey. See more ideas about saint nicholas, father christmas and st nicholas day.
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. This is the promotional trailer for the novel, nicholas. She was like a drug to him, intoxicating in a way that effectively dissolved any possibility of a vow of chastity. Nicholas was born in modern day turkey to a rather wealthy family. On the back of the book cody urban suggests that nicholas could be called the batman of 300 ad. A claus, in new york gazette, american english, from dialectal dutch sante klaas, from middle dutch sinter niklaas saint nicholas, bishop of asia minor who became a patron saint for children. Images depict nicholas with a white beard wearing the robes of a bishop. Nicholas day celebration adds a bit of welcome festivity in the early days of advent. Saint nicholas was born in 270 ad in the country now called turkey. The original santa claus story santa claus history pghome. In old dutch, the origin of sinterclaas is to be found in the starry sky, where in north european star lore he played a major role long before christianity.
He was from the city of mora, his fathers name was epiphanius and the. The idea of a santa claus, or father christmas as he is known in the united kingdom, has been around for nearly 1700 years and continues to be one of the most perpetuated, popular and beloved myths of all time. Nicholas was an actual person and not a fictional character. Among roman catholics and conservative protestants, there is a near universal belief that st. He first became a priest, then a bishop in the early christian church. Cody urban tells his story, however, in a way that is not overly magical but believable. The fantastic origin of santa claus promo video youtube.
However, far from being the offshoot of saint nicholas of turkey, santa claus is the. The origin and evolution of santa claus stay safe and healthy. Saint nicholas he became the patron saint of little children and of school children. Saint nicholas santa claus evolved from saint nicholas.
In 1822 clement clarke moore wrote a visit from st. As time went by, more and more was added to the santa claus legend. Thomas nast, a 19th century cartoonist, did a series of drawings for harpers weekly. There was a lady sitting by a golden desk, writing in a large book, and santa claus was.
Origins of santa claus synonyms, origins of santa claus pronunciation, origins of santa claus translation, english dictionary definition of origins of santa claus. Santa claus, saint, myth and legend introduction the legend of santa claus has delighted the hearts of millions of children for generations. Nicholas definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Saint nicholas day facts,worksheets, life, history. It is believed that nicholas was born sometime around 280 a.
Over time, saint nicholas transformed into our modernday santa claus. He lives at the north pole, where he also has a toy workshop. December 6 marks saint nicholas day, and i thought id mark the beginning of the christmas season by telling the story of santa clauss namesake. The fantastic origin of santa claus written by cody w urban is the thrilling exploration into the legends and myths behind numerous christmas traditions. The catholic church revamps its liturgical calendar and desaints over 200 people and making the celebration of 92 others, including st. Hope it inspires you to enter to win a free audiobook download. Origins of santa claus definition of origins of santa. Nicholas, better known today as the night before christmas, for his six children, with no intention of adding to the fledgling santa claus. It enriches our understanding of santa claus by showing the real historical. Moores phrase lays his finger aside of his nose was drawn directly from irvings 1809 description. The idea of santa claus embodies the very spirit of christmas itself. Nicholas story as a man of faith whose goodness and generosity grew out of his love fo r god.
The legend of the modernday santa claus started near a town called myra in what is now turkey back in 280 a. The elves of the north pole become obligated to grant his wish, facing great obstacles. Santa claus article about santa claus by the free dictionary. The fourth is the english father christmas, which gives details of this christmasvisitor who seems to have had a separate origin to st nicholassinterklaassanta claus. The image of the jolly old elf flying in a sleigh pulled by reindeers and leaving toys and gifts for every child is know worldwide. She could be described as a fair maiden lost in a dark cruel world. Nicholas is the true personality behind the story of santa claus or baba noel, who leaves presents for children on christmas eve. Losing his parents at a young age, nicholas dedicated both his fortune and his life to the christian church. Nicholas only wanted for her to be protected and for he to be her protector. In the story, little lill describes her imaginary visit to santas office not in the arctic, incidentally. His main family house is near the beautiful and magnificent northern lights region aurea borealis countries in the polar north of the world. As people traveled to new lands, they took the concept of the saintly giftgiver with them.
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