Real Story Behind Santa Claus

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    • Publish Date: Dec 23 2016 4:21PM
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    • Updated Date: Dec 23 2016 4:21PM
Real Story Behind Santa Claus


Every December 24th millions of people are visited by a short, fat guy in a red suit. Where did he come from, why does he do it, and how does he accomplish this seemingly impossible task? The man we know as Santa Claus has a history all his own. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century. Read on to find out the fascinating history of Santa Claus…

The origin of Santa Claus depends on which country's story you choose to adopt. 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.

Well, the original St. Nicholas lived in southwestern Turkey in the 4th century. As the bishop of Myra he was credited with doing a number of miracles involving sailors and children. After his death this led him to become the patron saint of both groups as well as for unmarried girls. As a saint he was given his own "feast day" that was celebrated on December 6th.

At about the same time Nicholas lived, Pope Julius I decided to establish a date for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. As the actual time of year for this event was unknown, the Pope decided to assign the holiday to December 25th. There had long been a pagan midwinter festival at this time of year and the Pope hoped to use the holiday to Christianize the celebrations.

Eventually, Saint Nicholas's feast day also became associated with December 25th and his connection with Christmas was established. A tradition developed that he would supposedly visit homes on Christmas Eve and children would place nuts, apples, sweets and other items around the house to welcome him. As the reformation took a hold of much of Europe, however, the popularity of St. Nicholas dropped in most Protestant countries, with the exception of Holland where he was referred to as "Sinter Klaas."

The first story shows his generosity. There were three unmarried girls living in Patras who came from a respectable family, but they could not get married because their father had no dowries for the girls. The only thing the father thought he could do was to sell them when they reached the age to marry. Hearing of the imminent fate, Nicholas secretly delivered a bag of gold to the two elder daughters, who went on to become happily married.

According to the legend, Nicholas threw the bag through the window and it landed in the daughter's stocking, which she had hung by the fire to dry. Another version claims that Nicholas dropped the bag of gold down the chimney. By the time the youngest daughter was old enough for marriage, the father was determined to discover his daughters' benefactor. Nicholas, true to form, arrived and was seized, and his generosity was made known to all. Gradually, anyone who received an unexpected gift thanked St. Nicholas.
 

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Comments

Gargi Chakraborty Amrita Vidyalayam -Nesapakkam

Really shocking story behind santa claus . I thought it was just a story that there was any man like this.

b.poojitha yadav PRAGATI VIDYA NIKETAN, KUKATPALLY

this is very nice to know about santa claus . i thought he was just all fake,and i thought they will show santa just to make people interested to the festival and enjoy it and its very interesting and nice to know

G.J.Libni Rose Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Really a hidden story . I thought it as a fake one .

Vatanesh Sharma THE OXFORD SENIOR SEC SCH

Wow

Aadrit Banerjee Apeejay School Salt Lake

Well I knew that Santa is associated with Saint Nicholas but didn''t knew the other facts. Thanks again TIMES NIE. I''ll surely share these facts with my friends.

Aadrit Banerjee Apeejay School Salt Lake

When will the Honour Roll Awards for November 2016 be announced?

venkat delhi school of excllence

Really an interesting information

Aditi Sahi D C MODEL SCH PKL-SEC-7

I knew some part of the story and thanks to TOI,now I know the whole thing.

Srividya AIR FORCE SCHOOLYEL

The story behind Santa Claus has many amazing things to know.That''s interesting!

Aditya Saini GREENFIELDS SCHOOL (SAFDARJUNG ENCL

Really nice eye opening story

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Priya M G NEW BALDWIN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

Awesome !!!! I did not know about all these stories , I thought he wasn''t real . OMG . He is a really a very good man.

E. Deepak Sen Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Interesting

E. Deepak Sen Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Interesting

E. Deepak Sen Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Interesting

E. Deepak Sen Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Excitingly great

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

That''s great.

C.Elakshme devi Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School - Puducherry

Wow a mesmarising story.

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