Santa Claus!

Right now, I’m sitting next to Adrian. He is focused wanting to finish up his work for the night, while me, just stepped out from the shower thinking about something really strange.

Santa Claus.
Who is Santa Claus.

I was actually thinking to myself, who is Santa Claus. Believe it or not, having gone through quite a NUMBER of Christmases and growing up always wanting be know where santa came from, I just can’t believe at this point in my life, I still don’t know who is Santa Claus.

Without much thought, I dived into the internet and googgled Santa Claus. Typically, the 1st result that appeared came from wikipedia.

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa" is a fictional folklore figure who, in Western cultures, is presented as bringing gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or on his feast day, December 6.

The popular North American form Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas, which in turn is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas). However, the Dutch Sinterklaas is depicted as being very different from Santa Claus in many ways.

Also, I found out that the outfit Santa Claus wears comes in many colors depending on which country. The most common depiction (red with white cuffs, collar, and black leather belt) became the more popular image in the United States in the 19th century due to the significant influence of Thomas Nast.

Thomas Nast's depiction of Santa Claus

Thomas Nast was a famous German-American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist in the 19th century and is considered to be the father of American political cartooning. He drew A classic version of Santa Claus1863 for Harper's Weekly. Before then, most depictions of Santa Claus showed a tall, thin man. Nast drew him as the bearded, plump man known today.

In the mid-20th Century, and artist Haddon Sundblom came up with a series of Coca-Cola advertisements featuring a Santa Claus which was round and jovial, closely depicted by Thomas Nast.

Haddon Sundblom's depiction of Santa Claus is the Coca Cola Advertisements

Many legends and miracles are attributed to Santa Claus:

• When he was an infant, his mother only nursed him on Wednesdays and Fridays; he fasted the remaining days.
• He halted a storm at sea in order to save three drowning sailors.
• During his lifetime, he adored children and often threw gifts anonymously into the windows of their homes.
• His father left him a fortune which he used to help poor children.
• He grabbed the sword of an executioner to save the life of a political prisoner.
• He brought back to life several children who had been killed.

Present day, you can find quite a number of legends, related to Santa.

• Throughout many countries in Europe, St. Nicholas/Santa distributes gifts to the children on DEC-5, the eve of his feast day. In some countries, the gifts come at another time during Advent or on Christmas eve.
• In Germany, Weinachtsmann (Christmas man) is a helper of the Christkind (Christ Child)
• In France, Père Noël distributes the gifts.
• In Russia, under the influence of communism, St. Nicolas evolved into the secular Father Frost. He distributes toys to children on New Year's Eve.
• In England, Father Christmas delivers the presents. He is shown with holly, ivy or mistletoe.
• In Scandinavian countries, the ancient Pagan Yule goat has transmuted into Joulupukki - similar to the American Santa.
• In North America, Santa Claus rules, thanks to a certain brand of soda.
• According to Roman Catholic church, his body is said to have not decomposed. In his shrine in Bari, Italy, it is believed by many pilgrims to exude a sweet smelling odor which cures medical disorders and illnesses.

Right now, I'm left with a retiring smile because at least part of my naive and innocent growing up year believing that there is a Santa is not at all a fairy tale. He is just Saint Nicholas!