Santa legend: How the Story of Grandpa Who Shares Gifts Was Born

The character of a generous grandfather who gives gifts to children is present in stories and legends of nations worldwide.

The name and appearance of this grandfather differ from culture to culture, but it is believed that today's Santa notion is due to the pre-Christian beliefs of the German and Slovenian peoples, who, by the baptism of these peoples, combine with St. Nicholas Christian figure.

But let's start from the beginning. Who brings gifts to Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Christmas, right? It might be said that St. Nicholas is a distant ancestor of modern Santa Claus. The first censuses of this saint, bishop, and benefactor of origin from Asia Minor date back to the 4th century AD.

The story goes out that he was a great beneficiary in life, who distributed all his riches and possessions to the poor, and he, led by a wonderful voice, chose to spread faith, justice, and mercy to men.

With his appearance, he brought comfort, peace, and kindness among men. He was especially kind to children.

It has been so common in German tradition for centuries for parents to leave candy for their children on St. Nicholas's Day, telling them that it is a gift from this saint. This custom gradually moved to Christmas at a time when the fir was lit.

In the 16th century, Martin Luther's reformation changed not only the Christian religion but also the character of the gift maker. Specifically, because Protestants did not celebrate the saints, they needed a new Christmas tradition, and the character of St. Nicholas was gradually replaced by “At Christmas”, which became part of British folklore during the seventeenth century.

Dwelling in the North American region, Western immigrants brought their beliefs and customs across the ocean to the new “world”. Sant Niklaus, Saint Niklaus, Sinterarchlas, and other variations of St. Nicholas's name were finally united, and Santa Claus was created whose name was first used by the American press in 1773.

During this period St. Nicholas slowly “converted” into the Santa Claus we know today, although some of the inevitable requisitions a red suit, a wooly cloak, carts, deers, were added later.

One of the first artists to define Santa Claus's modern appearance was Thomas Nast, an 19th-century American cartoonist whose photograph from Santa Claus to 1863 appeared on the weekly Harpers Weekly.

The story that Santa Claus lives in the North Pole is also the work of Nast, and at that time, the world's most beloved <x0 forefathers” were given a wool cloak. Today, the traditional red color of his costume replaced the original yellow-collar color in 1868 when both chariots and deer were added