Santa Claus

Santa Claus is thought by some to be a [folk myth]? explaining the source of Christmas presents given to children on Christmas Day. Conventionally, he is portrayed as a kindly, round bellied, merry bespectacled man in a red suit trimmed with white fur, with a long white beard. On Christmas eve, he rides in his sleigh (pulled by reindeer) from house to house to give presents to children alike. During the rest of the year, he lives at the North Pole together with his elves. One of Santa Claus' reindeer, [Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer]?, has been immortalized in a song which is frequently played at Christmas.

Amongst many adults, the nonexistence of Claus is a given, but many young children believe strongly in his existence. A majority of parents, at least in English-speaking households that celebrate Christmas, either actively attempt to convince their children of Santa's existence, or at least keep the source of their children's presents a secret from them and so fail to disprove the myth. Children that believe in the existence of Claus often tend to lose such beliefs by early primary school, as their ability to distinguish fantasy from reality improves and older children disillusion them.

Traditionally, the names of his reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. The names were invented in a poem, "A Visit From St. Nicholas", ascribed to Clement Moore, although there is some question as to his authorship.

A history of Santa Claus was written by L. Frank Baum, the same man who wrote the [Wizard of Oz]?.

Historically, one of the first artists to capture Santa Claus's image as we know him today was Thomas Nast, a cartoonist of the 19th century. In 1863, a picture of Santa appeared in Harper's Weekly by Nast. The Coca-Cola corporation has spread the now popular image of a red-garbed Santa Claus.

Many Christian churches dislike the secular focus on Santa and the materialist focus that present-giving gives to the holiday. They would prefer that focus be given to the birth of Jesus, their nominal reason for the Christmas celebration. It should be noted that the festivities at this time of year are predated by the pagan Yule festivals which were subsumed within Christianity.

Here is a link to an interesting book on the possible origins of Santa Claus: [1]

See also, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Thomas Nast along with his fellow immigrants brought the Christmas celebration and a figure, that developed into "Santa Claus" to America . The basis for Santa Claus was Saint Nikolaus or in Enlish language : Saint Nicholas of Myra.

/Talk