Santa - The Many Faces of Christmas
Is he real? Why does he bring presents to children? Can he really fly and come through the chimney? Why is he called ‘Santa’?
We have all asked or heard these questions at some point, and the answers are not so simple. Because, although the character of Santa Claus is fictional, he was inspired on a real person: Saint Nicholas of Myra.
Born in the III Century, Nicholas was the only son of wealthy parents who died when he was a child. Under the tutelage of his uncle, the bishop of the city of Myra, he took the vows of the order, becoming a Bishop himself years later.
Born in the III Century, Nicholas was the only son of wealthy parents who died when he was a child. Under the tutelage of his uncle, the bishop of the city of Myra, he took the vows of the order, becoming a Bishop himself years later.
Nicholas was imprisoned in the midst of the Christian persecutions during the rule of Emperor Diocletian, but was later freed by a decree from Emperor Constantin, who embraced Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
After his release, Nicholas returned to his post as Bishop in Myra, where he remained for the next 30 years.
After his release, Nicholas returned to his post as Bishop in Myra, where he remained for the next 30 years.
Throughout his life, Bishop Nicholas was well-known for his generosity and kindness towards people of all ages and origins. He used to provide assistance anonymously, such as when he paid for the dowry of a poor man’s daughters to save them from the streets by dropping three purses with gold through the window. (In later accounts, this was done from the chimney, a legend that later was picked by his more modern, secular personification.)
Unlike other saints of his time, Bishop Nicholas died peacefully, and he is remembered by his deeds of kindness, not his martyrdom.
Unlike other saints of his time, Bishop Nicholas died peacefully, and he is remembered by his deeds of kindness, not his martyrdom.
After his death, on December 6th, he was proclaimed a saint by the Catholic Church, and made the patron saint of children, students, merchants, sailors, brewers and pawnbrokers, among others.
The stories of his many miracles, his generosity, and his particular kindness to children made Saint Nicholas a popular saint throughout Christendom.
The stories of his many miracles, his generosity, and his particular kindness to children made Saint Nicholas a popular saint throughout Christendom.
His feast day, on December 6th, was celebrated early on with small gift exchanges, as a way to remember his generosity.
However, the figure of this saint has taken different attributes depending on the culture and traditions of the country where his devotion has taken root.
In the Ukraine, for example, he is known as ‘Svyatoy Nikolay’, arrives on December 19th, and brings presents only to good children - the naughty ones get twigs instead. Svyatoy Nikolay wears Bishop robes, is accompanied by an Angel, and leaves his presents under the children’s pillows.
In Russia, the secular personification of the gift-giver is known as ‘Dyed Moroz’ (Grandfather Frost). He arrives on December 31st and brings presents to all children.
In the Ukraine, for example, he is known as ‘Svyatoy Nikolay’, arrives on December 19th, and brings presents only to good children - the naughty ones get twigs instead. Svyatoy Nikolay wears Bishop robes, is accompanied by an Angel, and leaves his presents under the children’s pillows.
In Russia, the secular personification of the gift-giver is known as ‘Dyed Moroz’ (Grandfather Frost). He arrives on December 31st and brings presents to all children.
He wears felt boots, a long ornate fur-lined coat - either in blue, white and silver, or red, white and gold-, and carries a long staff with which he creates snow and frost. He’s accompanied by his grand daughter ‘Snyegurochka’ (Snowy) and travels on a sleigh pulled by three white horses.
In the Netherlands, he is known as ‘Sinterklaas’ and arrives on November 19th, although he delivers presents on December 5th.
In the Netherlands, he is known as ‘Sinterklaas’ and arrives on November 19th, although he delivers presents on December 5th.
In one of the most exotic turns for this Saint, ‘Sinterklaas’ lives in Spain and arrives to Holland on a vessel, although he also rides a white horse, called ‘Amerigo’. Sinterklaas is helped by a host of ‘Black Petes’ (‘Zwarte Piets’, a figure which has been much disputed in recent years due to claims of racism), carries a book with the names of all good and bad children, and leaves presents to good children inside their old shoes left by the windowsill.
On the eve of his arrival, children polish their shoes and leave cakes and hot chocolate for him, and carrots for his horse as tokens of gratitude.
However, the most marked difference for the figure of this Saint and his legacy is, not surprisingly, in the United States.
However, the most marked difference for the figure of this Saint and his legacy is, not surprisingly, in the United States.
Founded by Puritans, the tradition of Sinterklaas, Kris Kingle, and the devotion to Saint Nikolaus were brought by Dutch and German immigrants from the XVI century onwards, adapting them to the new world with new names and images.
Thus, the title of ‘Saint’ was secularized to ‘Santa’, and the name ‘Nikolaus’ was shortened to ‘Nick’ or, more commonly, ‘Claus’.
But this was only the beginning.
After the breach with the Catholic Church in the XVI century, England banned all devotions to saints and martyrs, and thus the figure of Saint Nicholas disappeared. Tradition, however, stuck deep, and the ancient ‘Yule’ celebrations on Winter solstice were still carried on, although on a more appropriately religious tone.
But this was only the beginning.
After the breach with the Catholic Church in the XVI century, England banned all devotions to saints and martyrs, and thus the figure of Saint Nicholas disappeared. Tradition, however, stuck deep, and the ancient ‘Yule’ celebrations on Winter solstice were still carried on, although on a more appropriately religious tone.
We can trace the ‘Father Christmas’ or ‘Spirit of Christmas’ - which appeared most memorably on Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" - to the main image of this pagan celebration : a man (or woman) with a wreath of ivy, surrounded by wild forest creatures, bringing light, plenty and new life to the winter days.
The tradition of Saint Lucia in Sweden is also another version of this same ancient celebration.
These traditions and the Scandinavian influences, brought by a new influx of immigrants in the XIX century, also leaked into the American transformation of Saint Nicholas.
These traditions and the Scandinavian influences, brought by a new influx of immigrants in the XIX century, also leaked into the American transformation of Saint Nicholas.
Although he retained the traditional red and white colours of the bishop, the new Santa Claus gained weight (to symbolize plenty), trimmed his beard, dropped the staff and all religious elements, dressing instead in a fur coat of Northern European influence.
In the XIX century, Santa Claus’ popularity rose : first, thanks to the anonymous story ‘Children’s Friend’, in which he first travels on a reindeer-pulled sleigh, and later thanks to a poem written by Washington Irving. "A Visit From Saint Nicholas", now widely known as "The Night Before Christmas".
In the XIX century, Santa Claus’ popularity rose : first, thanks to the anonymous story ‘Children’s Friend’, in which he first travels on a reindeer-pulled sleigh, and later thanks to a poem written by Washington Irving. "A Visit From Saint Nicholas", now widely known as "The Night Before Christmas".
The poem was an instant success, quickly becoming a Holiday standard in American households. Since then, many artists - such as N.C. Wyeth, J.C. Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell, among others. - portrayed the iconic figure, following more or less the image described by Irving.
But it was not until 1931 when the image of Santa Claus, as we know it, crystalized, thanks to the illustrations created by Harold Sundblom for the Coca Cola advertisements.
NC Wyeth, "The Night Before Christmas", 1925
Norman Rockwell, "Santa Reading Letters", 1935
J. C. Leyendecker, Kuppenheimer ad, 1924
But it was not until 1931 when the image of Santa Claus, as we know it, crystalized, thanks to the illustrations created by Harold Sundblom for the Coca Cola advertisements.
Sundblom went on to produce the iconic illustrations for the next 35 years, redefining Santa’s attire forever by adding the black boots and red cap with a pompom.
By then, the transformation from the kindly saint to the secular commercial figure was complete.
The artistic character of the advertisements, the advent of mass production in a thriving economy, and the widespread availability of media all helped to make Santa a well-known image throughout the country and even abroad.
Nowadays, there’s no one who’s not familiarized with the Jolly old man in the red suit and the bag of toys. Santa Claus has come to personify the image of Christmas in every article imaginable: books, songs, films, videos, toys, gift wrap, greeting cards, decorations, chocolates, food, drinks, housewares, sweaters - even underwear.
The ubiquitous image of Santa Claus has been used, overused and abused to the point of deformation. Such hyper-commercialization of Christmas, and the gradual undermining of its meaning, has made many people drift back to the essence of the celebration, either celebrating Saint Nicholas’ Day, favouring the religious tradition, or simply embracing the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ as a whole.
However, whichever you decide to pick, it’s great to know that ‘Santa’ was in fact a real man, one that went into history for his kindness to others, regardless of their age or origins. And whether we call him ‘Sinterklaas’, ‘Pére Noël’, ‘San Nicolás’ or ‘Viejito Pascuero’, the spirit of cheerfulness, generosity and good will that his name and figure evoke are a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas, wherever you are.
In Spain, the ‘Three Wise Kings’ are the ones who bring presents to children on the 6th of January. In Italy, it’s ‘La Befana’, an old magical woman who delivers toys to children on the eve of January 6th. In Venezuela, the gift giver on Christmas Eve is the Christ child (‘Nio Jesús’). However, even in these countries, the contemporary figure of Santa Claus has a special place in the hearts of children and adults during the Holiday season.
Sources: Saint Nicholas’ Center, Deutsche Welle, Iamsterdam, Wikipedia.
The artistic character of the advertisements, the advent of mass production in a thriving economy, and the widespread availability of media all helped to make Santa a well-known image throughout the country and even abroad.
Nowadays, there’s no one who’s not familiarized with the Jolly old man in the red suit and the bag of toys. Santa Claus has come to personify the image of Christmas in every article imaginable: books, songs, films, videos, toys, gift wrap, greeting cards, decorations, chocolates, food, drinks, housewares, sweaters - even underwear.
The ubiquitous image of Santa Claus has been used, overused and abused to the point of deformation. Such hyper-commercialization of Christmas, and the gradual undermining of its meaning, has made many people drift back to the essence of the celebration, either celebrating Saint Nicholas’ Day, favouring the religious tradition, or simply embracing the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ as a whole.
However, whichever you decide to pick, it’s great to know that ‘Santa’ was in fact a real man, one that went into history for his kindness to others, regardless of their age or origins. And whether we call him ‘Sinterklaas’, ‘Pére Noël’, ‘San Nicolás’ or ‘Viejito Pascuero’, the spirit of cheerfulness, generosity and good will that his name and figure evoke are a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas, wherever you are.
Did you Know...?
In Spain, the ‘Three Wise Kings’ are the ones who bring presents to children on the 6th of January. In Italy, it’s ‘La Befana’, an old magical woman who delivers toys to children on the eve of January 6th. In Venezuela, the gift giver on Christmas Eve is the Christ child (‘Nio Jesús’). However, even in these countries, the contemporary figure of Santa Claus has a special place in the hearts of children and adults during the Holiday season.
Sources: Saint Nicholas’ Center, Deutsche Welle, Iamsterdam, Wikipedia.
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