A greek christian, n icholas was bishop of myra, an area in prese nt day turkey. Thanks to twas the night, santa has the assistance of eight reindeer who pull his sleigh on christmas eve to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls. The history of santa claus a name obviously derived from the much older sinterklaas is much more than his belly and stature. Welcome to the history of santa claus and father christmas. In this book irving described santa as a jolly man who rode in a wagon pulled by horses. By about 1200, explained university of manitoba historian gerry bowler, author of santa claus. Welcome to esl printables, the website where english language teachers exchange resources.
Santa claus has become one of the most recognizable folklore figures worldwide, and is one of the most iconic elements of this holiday season. Santa claus and her husband became part of a christmas culture of books, movies, and television programs mrs. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century. Despite its priority claim and the soundness of its methodology, this study disappeared from the research literature on santa claus. Long before he lived in the north pole, and long before his yearly christmas visits brought joy to all the children of the world, santa claus was a child himself. The ancient origins of santa claus ancient origins. December 24, 2019 december 24, 2019 community, seasonal. The history of santa claus and christmas from 280 b.
Three photos show visitors to the santa claus land theme park, and two show santa claus seated at a desk with a pile of letters. This website offers a guide to resources available online that deal with the origins, evolution and lore of santa claus and father christmas. It would be as dreary as if there were no virginias. The real story of santa claus begins with saint nicholas 270 343 ad, who was born in the village of patara, an area which was once greek but is now part of turkey. As early as 1773 the name appeared in the american press as st. Santa s group of flying reindeer pulls his sleigh to help him deliver gifts on christmas eve. With edward asner, jim cummings, tim curry, miko hughes. Story of santa claus best learning videos for kids dr. The most noble of those is possibly that of saint nicolas. It is believed that nicholas was born sometime around 280 a. The elves of the north pole become obligated to grant his wish, facing great. The idea of santa claus embodies the very spirit of christmas itself.
Yes, virginia, there is a santa claus eightyearold virginia ohanlon wrote a letter to the editor of new yorks sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial sept. In the beginning it was in 1914 when james martin, the towns 14th postmaster, began mailing response letters from santa, at his own expense, to children who mailed their christmas wishes to santa claus, indiana. This series includes five press releases, a brochure for santa claus land, and a souvenir envelope. Nicholas day that same year, he published the satirical fiction, knickerbockers history of new york, with numerous references to a jolly st. His fur trimmed red outfit and bushy white beard is iconic, but good ol st. Knickerbockers history of new york the satirical history by washington irving which began the process of creating an american tradition of santa claus, as described in the above articles. Santa claus for new generations of children and adults. The baby boy was just like any other, but his parents hoped for great things from their only son. Two writers in american literature helped make santa claus an american tradition.
The main part of this guide consists of links to other sites, with some commentary describing the contents and quality of these sites. 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. Read the story of nicholas, 3rd century bishop of myra, asia minor present day turkey and how over time stories of his holy, generous life were embellished into legend. As with any question from our children, we can use it as a teaching opportunity. Nicholas rose to prominence among the saints because he was the patron of so many groups. Much debate revolves around the positive and negative aspects involved in the traditional use of the legend on young children. Stories about a man called santa claus have been told throughout the years in different parts of the world.
Another key text in this creation was the poem twas the night before christmas, usually attributed to clement clarke moore. 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. They also brought the name, which later morphed into santa claus. This slowly faded out so that by the beginning of the 20th century the standard image of santa claus was a man in a red suit trimmed with white.
Nicholas center say, in january 1809, washington irving joined the society and on st. The santa claus, indiana, post office was established on may 21, 1856. There really is a santa claus history of saint nicholas. A biography, he became known as a patron of children and magical gift bringer because of two great stories from his life. Nicholas used his entire inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Nowadays, he is also known as saint nick, father christmas, kris kringle, santy or just santa. Publication date 1900 topics childrens literature, tales publisher new york. Luminary author grant morrison all star superman happy and eisner award winning illustrator dan mora saban s go go power rangers bring their lauded reinvention of santa claus fully into the 21st century with two modern tales of klaus saving christmas from sinister threats that span. The history of santa claus and his many faces historic.
Yes, virginia, there is a santa claus frances pharcellus. The true life and trials of saint nicholas of myra. Claus found its way into several literary publications, like the yale literary magazine and harpers magazine. Today, santa claus is firmly in place as one of the most iconic symbols of the christmas tradition. Santa claus, saint, myth and legend introduction the legend of santa claus has delighted the hearts of millions of children for generations. The history of santa claus and other christmas symbols by. Washington irving was the first to include santa claus in his book, diedrich knickbockers history of new york. Santa was a bachelor until the late 1800s the first mention of a spouse for santa was in the 1849 short story a christmas legend by james rees. A collection of downloadable worksheets, exercises and activities to teach santa claus, shared by english language teachers.
Nast added such details as santa s workshop at the north pole and santa s list of the good and bad children of the world. Santa claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of christmas in the united states and other countries, bringing gifts to children. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. He is recognized in virtually every culture, and each and every year, children around the world. His popular image is based on traditions associated with saint nicholas, a 4thcentury christian saint.
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. The modern american version of the suit can be attributed to the work of thomas nast for harpers weekly magazine, although it is often incorrectly thought that haddon sundblom designed the suit in his advertising work for the cocacola company. The american image of santa claus was further elaborated by illustrator thomas nast, who depicted a rotund santa for christmas issues of harpers magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. 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. Both of those figures traveled via a noble, white steed. The origin of santa claus, one of the most beloved figures of childhood, begins in the 4th ce ntury with saint nicholas. He was born to wealthy parents, who died in an epidemic while nicholas was still young. Santa s faithful reindeers in the tales of santa claus that we often hear, most of them will tell us about him and his reindeer. This download is a new christmas edition to the history of holiday packets. The 19th century santa was often shown wearing outfits of different colors. The legend of santa claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named st. The origins of santa claus can be traced to collected traditions over the years. The work of veteran newsman francis pharcellus church has since become history s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books.
Saint nicholas died a very long time ago but i like to. Santa claus again changes with the times another book, this time a book published in the 1960s, reaffirmed the role of mrs. Dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen, comet, cupid, donner sometimes. Fully illustrated with original color drawings, the story of santa claus celebrates the story of his beginnings as a holy man in ancient rome, through his development in the middleages, to his current, likeness on advertisements, greeting cards, apparel and decorations right down to reallife mallbased family photo opp.
The mispronunciation stuck making sinterklaas into santa claus. Lets take a look at the origin of santa claus, the history. It includes passages on the history of favorite christmas symbols, including the christmas tree, santa claus, candy canes, peppermint, christmas carols, and gingebread men. 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. Santa, of course, does not appear in the bible at all, and was totally unknown at the time of christ and the early christian church.
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