Every December, the world celebrates the return of Santa Claus. Santa Claus has evolved over the years as a Bishop named St.Nicholas, to modern Santa Claus. Belief in Santa continues throughout many years. For sixth grader Aiden Garcia, his excitement of Santa is shown when he describes how he prepares for Santa’s visit, expressing joy and innocence. “I put carrots on top of the table and I write, ‘For the reindeers,’ and I put cookies and milk for Santa”, Garcia said.
Other families have their own heartwarming traditions as well. “We would leave Coca-Cola and conchas for Santa outside,” Brianna Maguellal, a senior, said. It’s amazing how other people show their own way to celebrate Santa Claus.
In the 19th and 20th centuries Santa Claus would be seen in postcards, magazines, department stores, and commercials. Santa would also constantly be mentioned in a variety of songs, like, “Santa Claus is coming to town” and “Here comes Santa Claus”. As well as movies, like “The Santa Clause”, “Elf”, “The Polar Express”, “Klaus” and many more.
Throughout every chapter of Santa they all conclude how he really is a kind, generous and jolly person. For others they don’t even care for Santa, sixth grader Roger Mejia doesn’t show excitement when he talks about Santa. “I don’t believe in Santa Claus, he doesn’t have magic, magic doesn’t…exist,” Mejia said. While others just like Mejia who don’t believe in Santa or magic, other people see Santa as a global symbol of joy and generosity.
“He (Santa) brings everyone together even though some people don’t believe in Santa, he brings people together with gifts,” librarian James Ng said. Maguellal, who also shares the same point of view says, “He shows the good spirit, represents what kids value, what matters most, Santa shows true values, jolliness.”
Before the most famous jolly man in a red suit, named Santa Claus, became famous he wasn’t always the Santa we know today. As described in, “ The Origins of Santa Claus” History Channel Video, “During the 4th century a Bishop in a town called Myra, which is now called Turkey there was a man named St.Nicholas”, he was known for his kindness, generosity and sincere gift-giving. Surprisingly some people knew who St. Nicholas was, “I think that’s Santa Claus, ‘his government name’”, says Maguellal.
According to A&E Television Networks, “He was credited with stopping a violent storm to save doomed sailors, and donating money”. Others may know Saint Nicholas, but not many know how he became well known. “I am catholic, I remember in my communion, I heard about him, but not really know him”, senior Bianca Arellano says.
A different article was written by History.com Editors. There was a well-known story about St.Nicholas when he helped three sisters, whose father was forcing them into prostitution for money. St.Nicholas at night went to their home, threw a bag of coins through an open window, and landed on one of the girls stockings that was hanging. The town heard about his generosity and children began to leave stockings near their windows, waiting to receive gold.
St.Nicholas had died on December 6, which the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches would celebrate him for being known as “a protector of children, sailors and the poor”, as documented out by the article, “Who was St.Nicholas”. “I feel surprised I didn’t know that, he’s not just a regular saint, but someone who helps people”, Arellano said.
The video article ‘The Origins of Santa Claus’ explains the historical development of Santa Claus, explains how St.Nicholas stories would have traveled across Europe, his popularity grew from the Middle ages, and the Renaissance, in which he was known as the most popular Saint.
In the Netherlands, St.Nicholas was called Stinkerklaas, was described as; “a tall, white-beard man in red clerical robes, who arrived every December 6, on a boat to leave gifts or coal-lumps at children’s homes.” according to the article “Who was St.Nicholas?”.
The article also explains, “Stories of Stinkerklaas were likely brought to the New World (America) by Dutch settlers in the Hudson River Valley.” Another article titled ‘Santa Claus,’ written by the History.com Editor. “ In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death.”.
This newspaper report marked the beginning of St.Nicholas becoming known as Santa in America “ I wonder if the Dutch families meant for his image to turn into Santa”, senior Desiree Hernandez said.
In the article “Santa Claus” the first look of “Santa” is described, “Santa images, including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace”. The article also explains that a novelist named Washington Irving helped popularize St.Nicholas by writing a book called, “The History of New York”. The book described St.Nicholas, as a “blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stocking to a man wearing a huge pair of Flemish trunk hose”.
The 1822 poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ by Clement Clarke Moore significantly elevated St. Nicholas helped shape the modern image of him as a cheerful figure who travels by sleigh on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts to children.Moore describes St. Nicholas as a “right jolly old elf”. This poem became well known around America, and many began calling him Santa Claus instead of St. Nicholas. Hernandez said, “ I do see similarities between the Santa we think today, like the robe and giving gifts to kids.
The document continues to point out that, a cartoonist named Thomas Nast, who gave the “first likeness that matches our modern image of Santa Claus”. Which describes that Santa lives in the North Pole, with his elves, a sack filled with toys for kids on the nice list, Santa with his red suit and next to him his wife Mrs.Claus.
Santa Claus, celebrated worldwide, has evolved from a 4th-century bishop into a modern symbol of generosity and kindness. After centuries Santa illustrates the powerful history that shaped people’s value and imagination. Over hundreds of years, Santa has remained a symbol of the holiday spirit, reminding us to give, care, and bring people together every year. Santa means the world to people who believe in Santa, and that reminder is what keeps people in the good spirit.
