The Myth of Santa Claus
The Myth of Santa Clause
The story of Santa Clause originated in the fourth century, when the Greek bishop Saint Nicholas of Myra, known for his generosity and kindness, visited an impoverished sister's home. The story tells how he dropped dowry money in her stockings and left presents for her. The story soon went viral, and he became the patron saint of children. His feast day is December 6, and his appearance is celebrated all over the world. However, his legends have come under fire after the Protestant Reformation, which discouraged the practice of praising the saint.
The tradition of Santa Claus has its roots in a third-century poem, "A Visit From Saint Nicholas", first published in Troy, New York, in December 1823. Its success influenced other writers and artists who helped create the modern image of Santa. Thomas Nast's illustrations depict a North Pole workshop, Santa's list of naughty and nice children, and the legend of the jolly old elf is said to have inspired the creation of modern Christmas music.
It is not known how the tradition of Santa Claus came about, but the origin of the tradition goes back to the third century. A monk named Nikolaos of Myra was born in Patara, which is now in Turkey. Nicholas' parents had left their estate to him when they died, and he gave away his inheritance to the needy. Despite the lack of publicity, the tale of St. Nicholas's life grew and he became the most revered saint in Europe during the Renaissance.
While there are no specific historical documents that confirm the exact origin of the Santa Claus legend, there are several historical sources that show the evolution of the tradition. In 1821, an anonymous poem, "Old Santeclaus with Much Delight", was published in the New York Sentinel, accompanied by eight illustrations. The poem and the eight illustrations incorporated in this work led to its popularity. The Christmas tradition began to spread around the world.
The origin of the tradition of Santa Claus is somewhat murky. There is little evidence that the jolly man of the Christmas myth originated with a poor priest in Asia Minor. The story of St. Nicholas is, in fact, a medieval myth. In the Middle Ages, the legend was viewed as a religious symbol of the Christian church, and was celebrated with enthusiasm. The earliest references to the jolly man were found in a manuscript written by the Roman Catholic church.
In the fourth century, Coca-Cola's advertising campaigns began featuring the jolly man with a white beard, who delivered presents down a chimney. By the third century, most Christians accepted Santa Claus as a miracle substitute for Jesus. A French priest even burned the effigy of Le Pere Noel in 1951, which led to the creation of the modern Santa. It became a cultural symbol and is still widely recognized today.