Santa's Connection to Christmas

All too often, the image of Santa Claus has been closely associated with the commercialization of Christmas. Many people lament that the Christmas season has been much too focused on gifts and gift-giving rather than people. Children, especially, think of nothing else but the gifts they are to receive during the season.

But Santa Claus has been a very prominent feature of American Christmases since the 17th century, and because he symbolizes the generosity and sharing that Christmas is also known for, it made sense that Santa Claus should be celebrated.

America's Santa Claus was based on a real person: Saint Nicholas who was the Bishop of Myra in the 4th century. Myra, (Now known as Demre) is a place within present-day Turkey. The Bishop of Myra was well-respected and renowned for his generosity and his love for children. And it is this kindness that led to claims that he could perform miracles centuries after his death.

His remains were reportedly stolen from its burial grounds in the 11th century and were brought to Europe. Every May, the people of Bari, Italy celebrate the arrival of his remains with a huge festival on the port of San Giorgio for 2 days. Decorated boats parade on the sea for the day with a painting of St. Nicholas. The finale of the festival involves a choir chanting while the rector stoops down to enter the opening of the front of the tomb of Saint Nicholas to retrieve what priest’s call the liquid manna that continues to excrete from his bones.

Soon after his remains were stolen, devotions to the saint grew across Europe. In Russia, he became the country's patron saint. In Greece, he became the patron saint of seafarers and sailors. In France, he was the patron saint of lawyers. In Belgium, he was the patron saint of travelers and children. In addition to these, thousands of European churches are dedicated to St. Nicholas and celebrate December 6 as his feast day. On his feast day people give gifts to each other, alms to beggars, food to the poor, and donate to charity.

St. Nicholas' popularity dwindled after the Reformation, but his generosity remained alive. Especially in Holland where people told and retold his story. Saint Nicholas soon became “Sinterklaas” and Dutch children would leave their shoes by the fireplace to be rewarded with treats from the saint.

“Sinterklaas” was brought to American soil in the 17th century by the Dutch, and soon the name was adapted in English to Santa Claus. And to this day, the Christmas tradition of hanging Christmas stockings near the fireplace in hopes of receiving gifts from Santa still lives on!

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