Guest Author - Linda J. Paul
St Nicholas, Santa Claus, Grandfather Frost, Father Christmas, Black Peter… All names for the same character… Who is this man that is known all over the world and is loved by so many children? Read on and find out.
St Nicholas or Santa Claus originally came to America from the Dutch Version called Sint Klaas. The Dutch settlers brought him with them to New Amsterdam, known today as New York. His myth has been kept alive and thriving ever since. He is a merry old soul, dressed in red and white furs. He is accompanied by eight flying reindeer, and Rudolph who was a later addition to the herd. His home is located at the North Pole. And, on Christmas Eve, he enters every house in the world through their respective chimneys and fills stockings, hung by the chimney with care, with presents.
Interestingly enough, the most important source for our modern day version of Santa Claus is a Christmas poem. That poem is “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” Written by Clement C. Moore for his children in 1823. That poem was later published for the general public, and included the most famous picture of Santa Claus, drawn by Thomas Nast.
Actually, legends of a jolly old man bringing presents to children abound all over the world. These legends incorporate many different traditions: Christian, Pagan, Old Catholic, Scandinavian, Dutch, German, English and many others.
Intertwined with the rest of the legends is the story of the Patron Saint of Giving, who is considered by some to be the “real” St. Nicholas. He was born in the city of Patara, and traveled to Palestine and Egypt, spreading hope and gifts to those in need. In Greek he is known as Hagios Nikolaos, Bishop of Myra. He reportedly died about 350 A.D. Thousands of churches in both Europe and America are dedicated to him.
He has been the Patron Saint of Russia, Moscow, Greece, children, sailors, prisoners, bakers, pawnbrokers, shopkeepers and wolves.
He is best known for his gift giving to children and his anonymous donations of gold coin to persons in need. The original celebration of his life started in Europe on Dec. 6th. In many countries this is still the day of Christmas gift giving, but modern day celebrations have started to conform to the traditional 24th/25th of December. The relics of St. Nicholas are in the basilica of St Nicola, in Bari, Italy.
The name for the jolly old elf in Russia is Grandfather Frost. He is always in the company of his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Girl). Together a provide gifts and a New Year party for the children. He wears a long fur coat, blue or red, and trimmed with fur. According to the legend, Grandfather Frost and Snegurochka live in Veliky Ustug, the town from which they begin their New Years journey, pulled by a sleigh or troika of white horses.
Even though today Grandfather Frost may be connected to the New Year celebrations, before 1917 he was related more to Christmas. He and his granddaughter would visit children asking them to sing or read a poem, and if they said they were good, giving them presents.
He is known as Santa Claus in the United States and Canada
Shengdan Laoren in China,
Father Christmas in England, where he sports a longer coat and beard,
Pere Noel in France.
Jultomten in Sweden, pulling a big bag of julklappar (presents), through the deep snow
Julenissien in Norway
Kerstman in the Netherlands
Joulupukki in Finland
Sinter Klaas in Dutch, where he arrives on a white horse, leaving gifts in wooden shoes
Papa Noel in Brazil and Peru
Babbo Natale in Italy
Black Peter in Morocco
Santa no ojisan in Japan, which translates to “Uncle Santa.”
He is also called Kris Kringle, or Christindl - which means “the Christ Child” in German.
Basically Santa Claus or Father Christmas is a mishmash of world legends and customs. Whoever he is and wherever he came from, he is a very important part of midwinter celebrations worldwide.
