The Legend of Santa Claus
Like the tale of the Christmas stocking, the story of Santa Claus originated in Europe during the fourth-century when a bishop named St. Nicholas of Myra spread goodwill 
and generosity throughout the land. He was known to go about on a white horse giving anonymous gifts by night. His traveling clothes were bishop red and he carried a staff. His unselfish acts of kindness spread throughout Europe and the children thought of him as a giver of all good things. When he died on December 6, his remains were taken to Italy and a church was erected in his honor. That day soon became a day of celebration, gift giving, and charity. In the sixteenth century, the celebration of catholic saints was banned and St. Nicholas Day became merged with Christmas celebrations. Although the gift-giving Saint took on a non-religious form, the generous spirit still remained. Eventually, the image of the Saint became a sort of mystical being, known for rewarding the good and punishing the bad. Like so many other traditions in our country, Santa Claus is a product of many different cultures. In Europe, he was depicted as a tall-dignified religious figure riding a white horse through the air. The Dutch immigrants presented Sinterklass (meaning St. Nicholas) to the colonies. Many English-speaking children pronounced this so quickly that it sounded like Santa Claus. The tradition of the Santa Claus or St. Nick in a red suit was brought to us by the Scandinavians. Black Peter, an elf who punished disobedient children, accompanied the German's St. Nick. As Christmas evolved in the United States, new customs were adopted and many old ones were reworked. In North America, Santa Claus eventually developed into a fat, old, kind, generous, man who was neither strict nor religious.
and generosity throughout the land. He was known to go about on a white horse giving anonymous gifts by night. His traveling clothes were bishop red and he carried a staff. His unselfish acts of kindness spread throughout Europe and the children thought of him as a giver of all good things. When he died on December 6, his remains were taken to Italy and a church was erected in his honor. That day soon became a day of celebration, gift giving, and charity. In the sixteenth century, the celebration of catholic saints was banned and St. Nicholas Day became merged with Christmas celebrations. Although the gift-giving Saint took on a non-religious form, the generous spirit still remained. Eventually, the image of the Saint became a sort of mystical being, known for rewarding the good and punishing the bad. Like so many other traditions in our country, Santa Claus is a product of many different cultures. In Europe, he was depicted as a tall-dignified religious figure riding a white horse through the air. The Dutch immigrants presented Sinterklass (meaning St. Nicholas) to the colonies. Many English-speaking children pronounced this so quickly that it sounded like Santa Claus. The tradition of the Santa Claus or St. Nick in a red suit was brought to us by the Scandinavians. Black Peter, an elf who punished disobedient children, accompanied the German's St. Nick. As Christmas evolved in the United States, new customs were adopted and many old ones were reworked. In North America, Santa Claus eventually developed into a fat, old, kind, generous, man who was neither strict nor religious.
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