Santa Claus - Origins

Where does this man come from, the jolly Christmas figure who knows if you have been naughty or if you have been nice?

Sinterklaas, the long robed priest with miter hat, is the European version of our jolly Santa Claus and he is linked to Saint Nicholas, a popular saint, who had performed miracles, but was cast into exile and prison. Freed by Constantine, the emperor who repackaged Christianity in the third century, his life and works were woven into the evergreen fabric that has become our Christmas.

Sinterklaas, with his helper Black Pete, is anticipated with much excitement and enthusiasm on December 6th in the Netherlands. This is the Dutch gift-giving time. December 25th is differentiated from the children’s celebration, and remains a simple and sincere devotion to Christ the Lord.

Other European nations, like America, have their own version of Father Christmas. Our American version of a jolly, loveable rotund man with a long white beard, a red hat and Dutch knee-breeches, was described by the writer Irvine Washington. Our Santa soon became popular and has stayed with us ever since.

The wind is whispering secrets
It's voice is soft and low
There are white and wintry secrets
In the softly falling snow

Secrets in mysterious packages
Carried by people on the street
Sense the secrets in the wondrous lights
Blow a kiss to all you meet

Christmas is for sharing, a time of joy
A time to bow your head and pray
To change the world, there came a boy
On a magical Christmas Day.