The most beloved Santa Claus
During the festive season of Christmas, Santa spreads the message that Christmas is the time to bring home the spirit of love and life. And this is the spirit that makes Christmas the most popular festival globally.
The houses are decorated with lights; Christmas trees are decorated with lights, bells, stars and small gift boxes. People visit their families and friends and give gifts to their loved ones during the festive season. Christmas is the time for cookies especially, hand-made cookies, cakes, Christmas carols and so on.
The Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Christmas star, Christmas elves, Rudolf, the red nose reindeer are some of the symbols associated with the tradition of Christmas celebration. Santa Claus is considered as the most beloved symbol of Christmas. The legendary and the mythical figure of Santa Claus, in many Western cultures, is believed to bring gifts for good children. He is generally described as a jolly, plump, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white cuffed red trousers, and leather belt and boots. Santa Claus is generally believed to carry a stocking full of gifts and candies.
It is said that there are many faces of Santa Claus. The character of Santa Claus is based on two Christmas legends: Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas. Saint Nicholas is said to be the patron saint of children, who generously gave gifts to the poor and the orphaned young ones. Whereas, Father Christmas is said to be the spirit of good tidings. Clament Moore in his “A Visit from St Nicholas” wrote:
“He had a broad face and a round little belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly,
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw, in spite of myself.”
Saint Nicholas, the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor during the fourth century, is believed to be the primary inspiration for Santa Claus. In the history of Christianity, it is depicted that he came from a wealthy family and gave all his money to the poor. Every Christmas, children check their stockings to find if Santa had come and left a gift for them. The image of a jolly, plump and old elf riding on a sleigh pulled by reindeer and leaving toys and gifts for children is known worldwide.
History says that the transformation of Saint Nicholas into Santa Claus happened largely in America. Illustrator Thomas Nast, the first artist to paint Santa Claus, further elaborated the image of American Santa Claus, which received its inspiration and its name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klass. In America three names are given to the Santa. These are Saint Nicholas, Kriss Kringle and Santa Claus. His role of giving gifts to the children probably came from his fame as a Saint or friend of children.
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Santa Claus is believed to be the one who creates miracles and delivers virtually any present that a child can imagine. It can be said that Santa is the sum of several trends, customs and beliefs that prevail in Christianity. During the festive season of Christmas, Santa spreads the message that Christmas is the time to bring home the spirit of love and life. And this is the spirit that makes Christmas the most popular festival globally.
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