Numerous parallels have been drawn between Santa Claus and the figure of Odin, a major god among the Germanic peoples prior to their Christianization.
L. Frank Baum's The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, a 1902 children's book, further popularized Santa Claus.
Some Christians say the Santa tradition detracts from the religious meaning of Christmas, while other critics feel that the Santa Claus myth constitutes an elaborate lie unethically told to children by their parents.
The popularity of the image spawned urban legends that Santa Claus was in fact invented by Coca-Cola or that Santa wears red and white because they are the Coca-Cola colors.
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus.
The image of Santa Claus as a benevolent character became reinforced with its association with charity and philanthropy, particularly organizations such as the Salvation Army.
Condemnation of Santa Claus originated among some Protestant groups of the sixteenth century.
One prominent religious group that refuses to recognize Santa Claus, or Christmas itself, for similar reasons is the Jehovah's Witnesses.
University of Texas at Austin psychology professor Jacqueline Woolley posits that the deception about Santa Claus constitutes a complicated series of very large lies.
In 1889, the poet Katherine Lee Bates created a wife for Santa, Mrs. Claus, in the poem "Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride."
The American version of Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, where he lives with Mrs. Claus.
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa," is the mythical figure who, in most of Western cultures, brings gifts on Christmas Eve.
One of the first artists to define Santa Claus's modern image was Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist of the nineteenth century.
Volunteers dressed as Santa Claus typically became part of fundraising drives to aid needy families at Christmas time.
There has long been opposition to teaching children to believe in Santa Claus.
Nordenskjoeld's giant penguin was the tallest, growing nearly 1.80 meters (6 feet) tall.
The legend of Santa Claus is based in part on the historical figure of Saint Nicholas of Myra, as well as on Norse myths associated with the god Odin, and American commercial culture.
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa," is the mythical figure who, in most of Western cultures, brings gifts on Christmas Eve.
The 1958–1961 famine is estimated to have caused excess mortality of about 30 million.
The Polish Santa is named Mikolaj (St. Nicholas in English), and children traditionally receive presents on his feast day and Christmas Day. In some regions of Poland, Gwiazdor stands in for Mikolaj on December 24 or the baby Jesus is the main gift-giver on Christmas Eve.Nov 19, 2017
The Man Behind the Story of Father Christmas/Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money.
The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends.
School spokesman Sarah James said: "The red-suited Santa was created as a marketing tool by Coca-Cola, it is a symbol of commercialism." However, Santa had been portrayed in a red suit in the 19th century by Thomas Nast among others.
Born in Patara, a land that is part of present-day Turkey, circa 280, St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop who helped the needy. After his death, the legend of his gift-giving grew. St. Nicholas transformed into the legendary character called Santa Claus, who brings Christmas presents to children around the world.Dec 7, 2017
The Man Behind the Story of Father Christmas/Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money.
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved ("good" or "nice") children on Christmas Eve (24 December) and the early morning hours of Christmas Day (25 ...
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Santa Claus comes from the Dutch words "Sinter Klaas", which is what they call their favorite saint, St. Nicholas. He is said to have died on December 6, A.D. 342. December 6th is celebrated as his feast day, and in many countries this is the day he arrives with his presents and punishments.
Prior to Nast's work, Santa's outfit was tan in color, and it was he that changed it to red, although he also drew Santa in a green suit. ... The Coca-Cola Company itself has attributed the red color of the suit to Nast's earlier work. Prior to the Coca-Cola advertising, the image of Santa was in a state of flux.