The History And Triumph Of Santa

The way Christmas is celebrated has historical roots. Especially with the man who is at the center of the holiday season: Santa Claus (St.Nick). His story plays a big part in how the day is celebrated. It also helped shape some of the most popular traditions that are embedded in society's consciousness.

In fact, Santa's story is so entrenched in people's minds that many don't think about it. The myth has been passed from one generation to the next, with small details changing, but the story's context has always stayed the same.

Parents remind their children that St. Nick is a kind man. He rewards those who are good and punishes those who are bad. Kids are reminded of this every time they sing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. They are warned that if they misbehave, he won't leave toys for them. However, if they do what the adults tell them to do, the reward will be anything they want.

It is that part of the myth that has been tweaked a bit. St. Nick certainly rewarded good behavior. However, his kindness was not limited to those who were subservient to their parents. His generosity knew no bounds. And it certainly didn't have rules attached to it.

Stocking With Care

St. Nick grew up an orphan in the 4th century. His parents left him a vast fortune to survive on. Over the years, he bequeathed gifts to many people. Most did not know where the presents came from or why they were received. He did much of his work under the guise of night. 

In his small city, he heard a story that troubled him. There was a poor man who had three daughters. Because of his financial situation, the girls would not be able to get married. In those days, the bride's parents paid a dowry to the groom's family. 

When St. Nick heard about this, he knew he had to do something. One night, he dropped a sack of gold down the chimney. There were stockings hung by the fireplace to dry, which the money fell into. The father woke up to discover his newfound wealth. His eldest daughter was able to get married!

As the second daughter approached the marrying age, she worried about becoming a spinster. Once again, Santa dropped a sack of gold down the chimney. It landed in the stockings by the fire. The man was curious as to who was being generous. He decided to try and find out who the mysterious benefactor was. 

The third came to the marrying age. Night after night, the man waited by the fire to catch the person who gave him the money. Frustration began to boil as weeks went by without a mysterious sack being dropped down. Then it happened. 

St. Nick was caught. He begged the man not to reveal his secret to anyone. But word spread, and whenever there was a mysterious gift, it was attributed to St. Nick and later his other moniker, Santa.

Sailing With Sailors

After the gossip traveled around the small town, a few church officials heard about the generosity of Santa. It was decided that the man would be made a saint. That is why Santa is also called St. Nick. 

Adding to the legend of St. Nick was a group of sailors. They were traveling on the Medeterian Sea. At first, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Most of them expected it to be a routine trip. 

Mother nature had a different idea; a severe storm pushed their boat into shallower waters. The ship became grounded and threatened to sink. The men on board began praying to St. Nick to help keep them safe from certain death. 

The sailors reported that after they prayed, St. Nick appeared on the ship. He helped them strengthen the ropes for the masts. It allowed the boat to break free and head back to deeper waters. 

Once the sailors were safe, St. Nick disappeared. 

When the sailors docked in a safe port, they made their way to a church. After giving thanks to God for protecting them, they noticed a picture of St. Nick. They asked a church employee about it and were told about the man. 

The group of sailors was encouraged to join the church. Which they did, in the name of the man they credited with saving them; Saint Nick.

Becoming Santa

In the years after he lived, St. Nick's reputation kept growing. Many took his good deeds as an example and tried to live up to his standards. They began helping people in any way they could. 

Some people in Myra told a story about a famine that hit the city. Residents prayed to St. Nick for help feeding their families. Shortly after the prayer, a boat with wheat came into the port. 

The sailors aboard the ship relayed a story. St. Nick appeared to them and urged them to give the residents of Myra their load of wheat. While skeptical and concerned about getting into trouble, they agreed. 

It was enough wheat to feed the town for two years. There was also enough to sow to make sure another famine didn't hit the area again. The people of Myra celebrated with a feast. They thanked God and St. Nick. 

When the sailors left and made it to their destination, they were in for a surprise of their own. As they unloaded the ship, they realized that there was the same amount of wheat as before they hit Myra. They also praised St. Nick.

These stories helped increase the popularity of Saint Nick. Throughout history, his name has changed a bit but structurally stayed similar. At one point, people called him Santa (for saint) Klaas, which was St. Nick's surname. 

Because of various cultures, the spelling of the last name changed over time. Now, Claus is the accepted way of spelling Santa's last name. 

And children all over the world anticipate his arrival on Christmas eve. They believe his gift-giving days are not over.