In my house, he’s known as Santa Claus, but others know him as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, and at least a dozen other names. A favorite of children and if truth be told of many adults, in one magical night this fictional (?) character delivers gifts across the globe.
Origins of Santa Claus
Despite the varying names and differing modus operandi, most Western versions trace their roots to a 4th-century Greek bishop in the Turkish town of Demre. According to the tradition the bishop, who later became Saint Nicholas, was a generous and secret gift-giver. Believed to have come from a wealthy family, he reportedly used his wealth to help others. The most famous gift involved paying the dowry for a poor devout family of three young girls. On three separate nights, he secretly slipped a bag of gold coins through the window of their house. Without his generosity, the girls would have been forced into prostitution. Officially, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children, toymakers, merchants, sailors, repentant thieves, brewers, and unmarried people.
Santa Claus
While it took 500 years for the original bishop to be formally recognized as Saint Nicholas, it took nearly a thousand more to create the character of Santa Claus. The image of a stout elderly man with a long white beard dressed in a red coat and pants trimmed with white fur originated in the 19th century. It began with an anonymously published poem “Old Santeclaus with Much Delight” in 1821. The story named the gift-giver Santa Claus (from the Dutch Sinterklaas) and described his reindeer sleigh. Two years later another poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” provided more details. It described him as a “right Jolly old elf” whose belly shook like a bowl full of jelly when he laughed. It also provided names for the eight reindeer. Over the next few decades, Santa Claus grew from a small elf-like character to a full-sized man, moved to the North Pole, and acquired his workshop staffed with elves.
As Santa Claus solidified into our modern image, advertisers and companies hitched their brands onto his popularity. By the 1930s both Pepsi and Coca-Cola featured him in their advertising. He also became a fixture in parades, department stores, and shopping malls. He even became the symbol for the Salvation Army’s holiday charity drives. Add in the nearly uncountable television specials, holiday songs, movies, and other cultural references and Santa Claus may just be the most recognizable man in Western culture.
Is Santa Real?
How is it possible for one man to be in so many places at once? Not to mention how does he deliver the right toys to everyone in a single night? Don’t even think about the utility of a sleigh pulled by reindeer in warmer climates. That brings us to our featured question when do children stop believing in Santa?
Here’s the average answer for each US state courtesy of Reddit user Hacoboo123.
So when did you stop believing? For me doubts crept in at seven. By eight I was pretty sure it was my parents eating the cookies we left out for Santa. For the sake of my younger siblings – and just in case I was wrong – I played along for a few more years.
As always thanks for reading.
Armen
Note to pay the bills: If you’re interested in a PG-rated James Bond-like thriller in a high fantasy setting, check out a summary of the Warders series here or find links to purchase books here.
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