Ho! Ho! Ho! Here’s the story of Santa Claus
Like every Friday, I was making shopping list for Saturday’s shopping and as Christmas is just around the corner, my list was becoming longer and longer.
Seeing this, my husband jokingly said, “I am not a Santa Claus to fulfill all your wishes. I also jokingly said, “And I am not a child. I know that you are not a Santa. I know Santa very well.”
“Then, tell me what do you know about Santa?” he asked.
Before I could answer, my phone ranged. One of my friends called me to ask if I had ever been to Santa Parade in Queen St, Auckland. I said no as it is very uncommon in India. With great excitement we planned to go to the Santa Parade next morning.
We reached there before time and decided to sit on a bench by the roadside. While we were waiting for the Parade, I heard sweet voice of a kid. The kid was talking to her mother, sitting near to us. The kid asked her mother: “Mom when is Santa going to come?”
Her mother said, “Please wait for some time my dear.” After few minutes the kid asked: “Who is Santa?” Her mother said, “Santa Claus is a joyous, white – bearded man with spectacles. He wears a red coat with white collar and cuffs. His trousers are of red colour with white cuffs. He also wears black leather belt and boots. The most exciting thing is that he brings gifts for good children like you.”
“ I know that mom. I saw Santa in last year’s Parade. I want to know more about Santa.”
“What do you want to know?” asked the mum.
“Where does he come from and when is his birthday?” The mother said, “OK, I will tell you the whole story about Santa.”
Hundreds of years ago there lived a monk named St. Nicholas, explained the mother. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 AD in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was known for his piety and kindness. It is believed that he gave away all his wealth and travelled to help poor and sick.
It is also said that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery by their father. He gave money to their father so that they could be married. He became very popular after this and was known for protecting children and sailors. St. Nicholas became most popular saint in Europe. He made his first inroads into America towards the end of the 18th Century.
In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honour the anniversary of his death. The name Santa Claus evolved from the Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas).
In 1820, stores began to advertise Christmas shopping which featured images of newly popular Santa Claus. The newspapers were also creating separate sections for holiday advertisements with the image of Santa Claus. This image was very popular in United States and Canada in the 19th century.
Since then this image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children books and films. The modern day image of Santa as a stout man is based on Coca-Cola ads from the 1930s.
After listening the story of Santa the kid asked her mother, “You mean to say St. Nicholas was Santa Claus.”
The mother said, “Yes my dear.” Then the kid with a disappointment asked, “So we can’t see St. Nicholas any more?” The mother said, “Yes but we can see Santa Claus. He is still alive and you can see him giving gifts to children, protecting them and donating money for the welfare of mankind. He is full of life and will live forever to make glad the hearts of children.”
The kid said, “Thank God. Santa lives forever!” The kid asked again, “Is this story a real one?” The mom said, “Well that’s what my mom told me when I was small like you. There are different stories about Santa in different parts of the world. If you want to know more about Santa and want to confirm this story you can go to the library and read books written on Santa Claus.”
“OK mom. I will find it out today itself.” Then the kid said, “Hey…please look mom … Santa is coming and giving gifts.”
At the same time my friend also called me to see Santa and we altogether enjoyed the Santa Parade. After the Parade, Santa came towards us and asked me, “What is your wish?” I said, “ I am very happy and don’t want anything.” He removed his white beard and spectacles and I exclaimed, “You! To my surprise that was my husband dressed as Santa. We all had such a good laugh.
Like every Friday, I was making shopping list for Saturday’s shopping and as Christmas is just around the corner, my list was becoming longer and longer.
Seeing this, my husband jokingly said, “I am not a Santa Claus to fulfill all your wishes. I also jokingly said, “And I am not a child. I know...
Like every Friday, I was making shopping list for Saturday’s shopping and as Christmas is just around the corner, my list was becoming longer and longer.
Seeing this, my husband jokingly said, “I am not a Santa Claus to fulfill all your wishes. I also jokingly said, “And I am not a child. I know that you are not a Santa. I know Santa very well.”
“Then, tell me what do you know about Santa?” he asked.
Before I could answer, my phone ranged. One of my friends called me to ask if I had ever been to Santa Parade in Queen St, Auckland. I said no as it is very uncommon in India. With great excitement we planned to go to the Santa Parade next morning.
We reached there before time and decided to sit on a bench by the roadside. While we were waiting for the Parade, I heard sweet voice of a kid. The kid was talking to her mother, sitting near to us. The kid asked her mother: “Mom when is Santa going to come?”
Her mother said, “Please wait for some time my dear.” After few minutes the kid asked: “Who is Santa?” Her mother said, “Santa Claus is a joyous, white – bearded man with spectacles. He wears a red coat with white collar and cuffs. His trousers are of red colour with white cuffs. He also wears black leather belt and boots. The most exciting thing is that he brings gifts for good children like you.”
“ I know that mom. I saw Santa in last year’s Parade. I want to know more about Santa.”
“What do you want to know?” asked the mum.
“Where does he come from and when is his birthday?” The mother said, “OK, I will tell you the whole story about Santa.”
Hundreds of years ago there lived a monk named St. Nicholas, explained the mother. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 AD in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was known for his piety and kindness. It is believed that he gave away all his wealth and travelled to help poor and sick.
It is also said that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery by their father. He gave money to their father so that they could be married. He became very popular after this and was known for protecting children and sailors. St. Nicholas became most popular saint in Europe. He made his first inroads into America towards the end of the 18th Century.
In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honour the anniversary of his death. The name Santa Claus evolved from the Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas).
In 1820, stores began to advertise Christmas shopping which featured images of newly popular Santa Claus. The newspapers were also creating separate sections for holiday advertisements with the image of Santa Claus. This image was very popular in United States and Canada in the 19th century.
Since then this image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children books and films. The modern day image of Santa as a stout man is based on Coca-Cola ads from the 1930s.
After listening the story of Santa the kid asked her mother, “You mean to say St. Nicholas was Santa Claus.”
The mother said, “Yes my dear.” Then the kid with a disappointment asked, “So we can’t see St. Nicholas any more?” The mother said, “Yes but we can see Santa Claus. He is still alive and you can see him giving gifts to children, protecting them and donating money for the welfare of mankind. He is full of life and will live forever to make glad the hearts of children.”
The kid said, “Thank God. Santa lives forever!” The kid asked again, “Is this story a real one?” The mom said, “Well that’s what my mom told me when I was small like you. There are different stories about Santa in different parts of the world. If you want to know more about Santa and want to confirm this story you can go to the library and read books written on Santa Claus.”
“OK mom. I will find it out today itself.” Then the kid said, “Hey…please look mom … Santa is coming and giving gifts.”
At the same time my friend also called me to see Santa and we altogether enjoyed the Santa Parade. After the Parade, Santa came towards us and asked me, “What is your wish?” I said, “ I am very happy and don’t want anything.” He removed his white beard and spectacles and I exclaimed, “You! To my surprise that was my husband dressed as Santa. We all had such a good laugh.
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