The name santa claus came from sinterklaas, the dutch name for st. A sweet little story about the origins of santa claus and his connection to christmas. As many of you know, people may call santa claus kris kringle, a name popularized by a 1947 movie called miracle on 34th street, about a man of that name who plays macys santa. Download word files that may be edited to name specific charitable causes. Nicholas and how it evolved into the secular santa culture. Dec 17, 2018 the legend behind santa claus is saint nicholas, the fourthcentury bishop of myra. Nicholas is the asyet untold story about the origins of saint nicholas of lyra, who would eventually come to be known as santa claus. If youve ever been asked, who is saint nicholasif yo. This beloved christmas character is a legendary persona that is utterly revered by children and cherished by all. The legend of the modernday santa claus started near a town called myra in what is now turkey back in 280 a.
Losing his parents at a young age, nicholas dedicated both his fortune and his life to the christian church. Nicholas became an important figure in holland, his influence withstanding the reformation in the 1500s, a time when honoring saints was shied away from. For santa claus to be a worldwide figure, his origin is not a story that gets told. This book suggested that the deer didnt fly but rather they were able to leap gigantic miles and established that santa was an immortal being. Santa claus bears a good deal of resemblance to his closest relative, the old european gift bringer st. This letter from santa is available in two versions. A story of santa claus introduction and background there are several saint nicholas, two of whom, found in many a saints dictionary, is actually the same saint, that of st. Pattern counted cross stitch chart pdf format instant download 121154010. But his historical journey is even longer and more fantastic than his annual. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Origins of santa claus article about origins of santa. Saint nicholas was born in 270 ad in the country now called turkey. The idea of santa claus embodies the very spirit of christmas itself. Nicholas has its own history and each has its own reason for giving children gifts every year during the holiday season.
She was like a drug to him, intoxicating in a way that effectively dissolved any possibility of a vow of chastity. Dec 23, 2015 the legend of the modernday santa claus started near a town called myra in what is now turkey back in 280 a. Saint nicholas day facts,worksheets, life, history. Moores phrase lays his finger aside of his nose was drawn directly from irvings 1809 description. This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about saint nicholas day across 22 indepth pages. 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 roman sol invictus, and a ride down the torrents of fate as a reluctant young man steps into the immortal shoes of the patron saint of children. Origins of santa claus article about origins of santa claus. The history of santa claus who is father christmas. A fun gift for children of all ages who believe in santa claus. The original santa claus story santa claus history pghome. One of the most recognizable faces in all of america or perhaps even the world is that of santa claus. Weihnachtsmann holynightman is explained literally.
Onepage story for children introduces saint nicholas as the real santa claus and. Nicholas traveled the countryside giving his wealth to the poor and sick. Nicholas, people began to believe he visited small. Greenerysanta paintingschristmas paintingssaint nicholas. Includes information about the evolution of the giftgiving santa claus. Nicholas was an actual person and not a fictional character. 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. As people traveled to new lands, they took the concept of the saintly giftgiver with them. December 6th is celebrated as his feast day, and in many countries this is the day he arrives with his presents and punishments.
He first became a priest, then a bishop in the early christian church. Dec 23, 2015 a label, showing santa claus on a sleigh with reindeer, created by the u. She could be described as a fair maiden lost in a dark cruel world. Thomas nast, a 19th century cartoonist, did a series of drawings for harpers weekly. Santa claus article about santa claus by the free dictionary. Santa claus, also known as father christmas, saint nicholas, saint nick, kris kringle, or simply santa, is an imaginary figure originating in western christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of wellbehaved children on the night of christmas eve 24 december or during the early morning hours of christmas day 25 december. 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. He was very poor, so poor that one day he was on the point of sending his. This story of santa claus veers away slightly from the traditional stories of his beginnings. Take the time to also realize what christmas is truly about, the birth of jesus christ.
The elves of the north pole become obligated to grant his wish, facing great obstacles. Moore included such details as the names of the reindeer. The fourth is the english father christmas, which gives details of this christmasvisitor who seems to have had a separate origin to st nicholas sinterklaas santa claus. This is a wonderful article on the saint to santa dvd and program.
Santa claus evolved from dutch traditions regarding saint nicholas sinterklaas. Nicholas of bari and myra, because he was given the first name last, since his relics are. Nicholas only wanted for her to be protected and for he to be her protector. Nicholas, better known today as the night before christmas, for his six children, with no intention of adding to the fledgling santa claus.
This instant download gives your two letters one with a boy elf and one with a girl elf. Saint nicholas day or the feast of saint nicholas is a christian festival. Freebie legend of the candy cane preschool christmas treats candy cane story. 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. There have been many thousands of christmas cards and christmas books printed to depict him. Pdf on jan 1, 2010, david kyle johnson and others published against the santa. By the 19th century, all these european traditions were brought to north america and mixed together to create both religious and nonreligious traditions at christmas. Nashs vision of santa had him living at the north pole. Nov 24, 2016 free printable santa cam letter pdf file. Santa claus, also known as father christmas, saint nicholas, saint nick, kris kringle. Frankly, most of the book has nothing whatsoever to do with santa claus but dwells upon anecdotal stories of these wild men as the true origin of santa claus.
Even most adults do not realize how saint nick came about. Little is known of him, but he is traditionally identified as a 4thcentury bishop of myra in asia minor. The ancient visage of the various gift givers had many things in common but certainly the final product. Nicholas or santa claus wasnt connected the way it is today with christmas giftgiving. In santa clauss own town, patara, lived a great lord who had three daughters. The history of santa claus lancaster inn and suites.
Newswise frank riga, phd, emeritus professor of english, canisius college, is a expert on the origins of santa claus. The history of santa claus can be traced to a monk named st. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. In the story, little lill describes her imaginary visit to santas office not in the arctic, incidentally. The legend behind santa claus is saint nicholas, the fourthcentury bishop of myra. The personification of the spirit of christmas, usually represented as a jolly fat old man with a white beard and a red suit, who brings gifts to good. The legend of santa claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named st. Origins of santa claus synonyms, origins of santa claus pronunciation, origins of santa claus translation, english dictionary definition of origins of santa claus. The story that santa claus lives at the north pole may also have been a nast creation. Over time, saint nicholas transformed into our modernday santa claus. Another entry into the santa claus biography, and part of the explanation of how he became more popular over the years, was found in a 1920 childrens book called the life and adventures of santa claus by l. He was born to a wealthy family, but his parents died when he. Although its fiction, there are elements of truth to it in the way it incorporates and explains many of the popular and some of the notaspopular modern day themes and traditions of christmas. Much debate revolves around the positive and negative aspects involved in the traditional use of the legend on young children.
His main family house is near the beautiful and magnificent northern lights region aurea borealis countries in the polar north of the world. Dec 04, 2017 but santa claus real name is saint nicholas. In 1832, clement moore wrote a poem called a visit from saint nicholas. A label, showing santa claus on a sleigh with reindeer, created by the u. As time went by, more and more was added to the santa claus legend. Saint nicholas of myra traditionally 15 march 270 6 december 343, also known as nicholas. Nicholas was born in modern day turkey to a rather wealthy family. Origins of santa claus definition of origins of santa.
The legend of santa claus comes from the life of a monk named st. In santa claus s own town, patara, lived a great lord who had three daughters. 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. The name santa claus evolved from nicks dutch nickname, sinter klaas, a shortened form of sint nikolaas dutch for saint nicholas. Santa claus, saint nicholas, saint nick, father christmas, kris kringle, santy, or simply santa is a figure with legendary, historical and folkloric origins who, in many western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the homes of good children on 24 december, the. Santa claus, saint, myth and legend introduction the legend of santa claus has delighted the hearts of millions of children for generations. 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.
Santa claus is the fictional wife of santa claus, the christmas giftbringer in western christmas tradition. Santa claus lore simple english wikipedia, the free. Coke is a fantastic soft drink that children should be eager to consume. 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. Early in the book, the author recounts the traditional stories about saint nicholas and his morphing into the santa claus the entire world knows today. Dec 25, 2015 the legend of santa claus comes from the life of a monk named st. It is believed that nicholas was born sometime around 280 a. 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. He was very poor, so poor that one day he was on the point of sending his daughters out to beg for food from his neighbors. Dec 22, 2015 in 2015, santa claus is celebrating his 1,735th birthday. A story of santa claus pope john paul ii society of. A child learns that santa claus is really saint nicholas, a bishop who lived long ago and taught people about jesus. How refreshing that this has been created so the young may know the history of st. The history of santa claus begins with a man called saint nicholas, the bishop of myra in asia minor, in what is now turkey. Here are easytouse pdf files for a fourpage folded brochure, a single sheet. The personification of the spirit of christmas, usually represented as a jolly fat old man with a white beard and a.
Early in the book, the author recounts the traditional stories about saint nicholas and his morphing. Santa claus has become the most beloved of christmas symbols and traditions. In 1822 clement clarke moore wrote a visit from st. She is known for making cookies with the elves, caring for the reindeer, and preparing toys with her husband. 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. Advertising, cocacola, ideology, interpellation, santa claus. 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. The excerpt below is from his many writings on the subject. Another famous late legend tells how he resurrected three children, who had been.
Any kid can tell you where santa claus is fromthe north pole. The legend of santa claus was based on the life of st. Origins of santa claus definition of origins of santa claus. I saw mommy kissing santa claus penned in 1952 by jimmy boyd caught santa in the act for the first time. There was a lady sitting by a golden desk, writing in a large book, and santa claus was. Eventually, santa claus developed into a uniquely american character. Dec 23, 2009 by the 19th century, all these european traditions were brought to north america and mixed together to create both religious and nonreligious traditions at christmas. Now that you know where santa originated from, you can share it with others this christmas.
The catholic church revamps its liturgical calendar and desaints over 200 people and making the celebration of 92 others, including st. Santa claus became an important folk figure in the second half of the nineteenth century, about the time when americans were beginning to celebrate christmas in large numbers see also america, christmas in nineteenthcentury. You know that santa means saint and claus stands for nicholas, and that is how he came to be known as santa claus. Even children point to the sky if you ask where santa claus on his sleigh comes from. A pictorial history of santa claus vintage santas, vintage christmas, celtic. The american santa claus is generally considered to have been the invention of washington irving and other early nineteenthcentury new yorkers, who wished to create a benign figure that might help calm down riotous christmas celebrations and refocus them on the family. The legend goes by many names the whole world over. The fantastic origin of santa claus by cody w urban. Santa claus comes from the dutch words sinter klaas, which is what they call their favorite saint, st.
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