By Jacqueline Kelly –
Kris Kringle, Grandfather Frost, Sinter Klaas or Father Christmas, the jolly “Ho-Ho-Ho” guy, a popular Christmas icon who has evolved down the ages is none other than Santa Claus. He steps out of the pages of history to gladden the hearts of children during the Christmas season across the globe.
Santa was actually a real person in the 4th century, by the name of Saint Nicholas in Turkey. Saint Nicholas was a gentle, pious man. The story goes that three poor girls did not have money to get married, as they could not pay for their dowries.
One night, they kept their stockings by the fire place to dry and behold, Saint Nicholas dropped three bags of gold coins in each of their stockings ! His generosity to the poor and needy earned him the contempt of the Roman Empire, who threw him in prison. However, in 325 A.D. Emperor Constantine freed him.
The legends and stories of Saint Nicholas spread across Europe. Soon, Saint Nicholas’ name changed to “Santa Claus”.
These legends in turn have their roots in still earlier pagan myths, including the Roman Befana, the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht and the Scandinavian Odin.
Odin was said to have ridden through the sky in winter with a pack of elves, rewarding men with gifts.
In countries, such as Holland and Germany, Santa Claus was said to ride through the sky on a horse. Pictures show him wearing a Bishop’s robe. He was sometimes accompanied by “Black Peter”, an elf who whipped naughty children.
Traditionally, gifts were given on the feast day of Saint Nicholas. Later, however German Protestants encouraged people to instead worship the Christkindl [or Christ Child]. The Christ Child was said to have visited families on Christmas Eve, leaving gifts and toys. The term Christ Kindl evolved into Kriss Kringle, a popular nickname for Santa Claus.
In France, Santa travelled under the name of Pere Noel.
In North America, the popular name Santa Claus was taken from the Dutch Sinterklaas, which originated with a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas [Saint Nicholas].
The “Shopping Mall Santa” that we are all familiar with, sporting a red suit with white cuffs and collar, and a black leather belt, became the popular image in the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century because of the “Merry Old Santa Claus” images created by political cartoonist Thomas Nast.
Santa Claus was the idea of the Coca Cola Company. Santa sporting corporate colours – red and white, for a reason. He was working not out of the North Pole, but for Coke.
In 1930, the artist Fred Mizen painted a department store Santa in a crowd drinking a bottle of Coke. The Coke advertisement was a hit and Coke sales hit the roof.
In the mid-20th century a series of Coca-Cola advertisements featuring a round and jovial Santa Claus was drawn by artist Haddon Sundblom and further popularized Nast’s depiction.
While Coke is not completely responsible for the innovation of Santa, it did play a role in establishing and commercialising him.
The evolution of Santa Claus is magical in itself, where different cultures the world over, had a say in his creation. Dressed in his traditional red attire, he is the symbol of the true spirit of Christmas, of joy, peace and good-will. He comes bearing gifts, with an infectious smile and cheerful greetings.
In the midst of all, we should not forget Saint Nicholas, who was known for his generosity and warm heart. He is the Spirit of Santa Claus.
REINDEER
The Reindeer pulls Santa’s sleigh to deliver presents around the world every Christmas Eve.
Santa originally rode a horse, when he was Saint Nicholas. When he migrated to the colder climates of Scandinavia, he was given a sleigh.
When C.C. Moore wrote that famous poem that begins, “Twas the night before Christmas”, the reindeer became a permanent fixture of many American households.
Here, we finally had an official “Who’s Who of Reindeer”, when Mr. Moore listed them all by name.
In 1949, a song at the top of the Hit Parade brought instant fame to “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer”.