The Legend Of St. Nicholas & The Origins Of Santa Claus
ORIGINS OF SANTA CLAUS – It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is coming soon and you’re about to find out if you’re naughty or nice.
Ever since we were kids we have been told stories of a fat man in a red suit giving gifts to good children. But, is there really a real-life Santa Claus?
In this article, we will learn more about the origin of Santa Claus and the story of St. Nicholas, the Real Santa Claus.
Santa’s origin story can be traced back hundreds of years ago to a monk named St. Nicholas. According to an article from History, he was believed to be born around 280 A.D in Patara, near Myra, in Turkey.
Nicholas was admired by many for his kindness and piety. He also became the stuff of many legends. Stories recall Nicholas giving away all of his inherited riches and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick.
Throughout the years, his popularity spread and he was dubbed as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on his death anniversary, December 6.
The name Santa Claus comes from Nicholas’ Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas which is Dutch for Saint Nicholas. In 1773 Nicholas made his first appearance in American pop culture.
Following this, a New York newspaper in 1774 reported a group of Dutch Families gathered to honor the anniversary of his death.
This started the creation of Santa Claus into what he is known for today. In 1804, John Pintard of the New-York Historical Society distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at their annual meeting.
The background of the engravings were etched with stockings filled with toys and fruit hanging from the fireplace.
Then, in 1809, Washington Irving helped popularize the Sinter Klaas stories. He made St. Nicholas the Patron St. of New-York in his book, The History of New York.
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