The american santa claus represents only the tip of a very ancient iceberg. Nicholas, paganism, nordic mythology, anglosaxon tradition, roman festivities, and so on and so forth, all. The delightful story is set on christmas eve and tells of a tenyearold boy who is. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading history of santa claus book 1 santa through the years. The santa claus oath book s pages pictures have been laminated and have been inserted into the leather bound book bearing the oath logo. Origins of santa claus article about origins of santa claus. As you know, in book l of the santa claus chronicles, the discovery, black birds and birds in general, play a big part in the story. Tony van renterghem writes in when santa was a shaman. Dec 12, 2017 the origins of christmas, and santa claus, branch off into different beliefs and areas siberian shamanism and the amanita muscaria being a branch on the christmas tree, if you will, among different branches including the christian st. Nicholas, better known today as the night before christmas. This effort of luthers to move away from the santa claus tradition inadvertently veered right toward it. Interestingly enough, saint nicholas and his legend began in the early church.
Santas little helpers the origins of the christmas elves. Nicholas and santa claus are historically the same man. The origins of santa claus on the morning of december 25, millions of american children gather with their families around the christmas trees to open gifts left there by santa claus. He is the most magical, mighty and loyal friend of all the children of the world. Nicholas, sancte claus, or santa claus, unlike the stately european bishop. The netherlands still celebrate saint nicholass day of december 6th, some giving gifts on the 5th december gifts eve. But did you know that for all that he commercially represents, santa claus is surprisingly rooted in ancient christianity. The name santa claus is the english form of the dutch name for st. Father christmas is the traditional english name for the personification of christmas.
History of santa claus book 1 santa through the years kindle edition by portman, sandra l download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Learn how we are influenced by this ancient myth everyday. Santa claus himself is of course much older, deriving from the historical figure of st. The poem was first published anonymously in the troy, new york sentinel on 23 december 1823, having been sent there by a friend of moore, and was reprinted frequently thereafter with no name attached. It is believed that nicholas was born sometime around. But unlike the jolly figure who purportedly flies on a sleigh from the north pole, the saint came originally from the balmy mediterranean coast. As with many things in our culture, santa has his beginnings in a christian past. Nicholas, more commonly known as the night before christmas and twas the night before christmas from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to clement clarke moore, who claimed authorship in 1837 the poem has been called arguably the bestknown verses ever written by an american and is largely responsible for some of the. The ancient origins of santa claus ancient origins. Santa claus wasnt always chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. The connection between moores poem, european folklore, and the probable shamanic origins of the santa figure are strengthened when one looks at the illustrations of santa claus that thomas nast created for the poem. Two writers in american literature helped make santa claus an american tradition.
This christmas tell your children the real santa claus. Did you ever wonder who the original santa claus was and how he evolved into the jolly, north pole dweller we know and love today. Posted by glenn beck on wednesday, october 7, 2015. It got me thinking about that the jolly old elf has been around alot longer than most major religions, countries and nations today. That poem refers to santa claus as a jolly old elf. Santa claus was born in ad 270 in the town of patara on the mediterranean coast of southwest turkey. The legend of santa claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named st.
In this book irving described santa as a jolly man who rode in a wagon pulled by horses. December 6th is celebrated as his feast day, and in many countries this is the day he arrives with his presents and punishments. Early in the book, the author recounts the traditional stories about saint nicholas and his morphing into the santa claus the entire world knows today. But many dont realize saint nicholas was a real guy. A year later, a film directed by george albert smith entitled santa claus or the visit from santa claus in the united kingdom was created.
A santa suit is a suit worn by a person portraying santa claus. The ancient origins of santa claus every year millions of children around the world anxiously wait for the arrival of santa claus. Irvings book was a lampoon of the dutch culture of new york, and. Another film called santa claus and the children was made in 1898. There really is a santa claus history of saint nicholas. Baum also uses the character of santa to make cameo appearances in his oz books, specifically in the road to oz. He participated in the first council of nicaea where he was famously purported to have slugged the heretic arius for denying christs divinityand has been. Parents tell stories of the man with the white beard, red coat and polished boots who travels the world with his reindeer bearing gifts for.
The surprising christian origins of santa claus lds living. Nickno matter the name, everyone knows the story of this plump, jolly, bringer of gifts. All americans are familiar with the icon of christmas, but what about the myth behind the north pole native. He is a magical figure, drawn from the legends, history, and folklore of many countries. In it, saint nicholas is described as a plump old man with eight reindeer and a sleigh, an image that was elaborated upon by the political cartoonist thomas nast in 1862, combining native german traditions along with moores idea of saint nicholas to create todays image of santa claus. The pages in the book include the title page, dedication page, origins of the oath, jim yellig dedication and bio, charles w. If your looking for a good read on acient origins of santa claus i recommend this book. And who helped bring the image of the man in the red suit. The history and origins of santa claus jason mankey. Dec 23, 2015 to celebrate, we tell you about the secret origins of santa claus. The origin of santa claus and krampus historic mysteries. He was born to wealthy parents, who died in an epidemic while nicholas was still young. The legend of santa claus began in america in 1822 with clement c. A magnificently illustrated fable explains how nicholas cl.
In this picture, santa claus enters the room from the fireplace and proceeds to trim the tree. Washington irving was the first to include santa claus in his book, diedrich knickbockers history of new york. This jolly elf that flys through the night with reindeer has transformed and evolved for 50,000 years like the title says. Far from being a rotund jolly man with rosy cheeks that is instantly recognizable today, the turkish monk st. Santa claus is everywhere, and although hes traditionally associated with the christmas holiday, his origins can be traced back to a blend of an early christian bishop and later saint and a norse deity. History of santa claus by royale, duncan a copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. In 1863, during the civil war, political cartoonist thomas nast began a series of annual blackandwhite drawings in harpers weekly. Nicholas inherited a large amount of money and used much of his fortune to help the poor. Though the modern santa claus is associated with a world of fantasy, the. Santa claus comes from the dutch words sinter klaas, which is what they call their favorite saint, st. A lithographic book plate from one of mcloughlins christmas books shows santa claus by the chimney and was published in new york city in 1895.
It is the history of the jolly, bearded man, with references to past incarnations of the character more likely directly related to black pete the servant of st. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. Norman rockwell, santa with elves, 1922 santa s elves are the result of the combination of a number of traditions. Santa claus, also known as saint nicholas, father christmas, kris kringle and simply santa, is a figure with legendary, mythical, historical and folkloric origins who, in many western. Nicholas as the patron saint of new york in his book, the history of new york. Early in the book, the author recounts the traditional stories about saint nicholas and his morphing into the santa claus. It tells of how he started as a child from a rich family, and how he gave gifts to the poor with his money.
It would become santa claus other name, kris kringle. As early as 1773 the name appeared in the american press as st. The legend of santa claus, whos based on the christian bishop saint nicholas, dates back centuries, but the modern depiction of santachimney and allstarted to take form in the 19th century. As the legends have it, the concept of santa is rooted in the real nicholas, bishop of myra, dating to the fourth century. Nicholas of myra but with attributes added from several european christmas traditions, particularly the english father christmas and the dutch sinterklaas. An introduction santa claus, legendary bringer of gifts at christmas. Moore originated many of the features that are still associated with santa claus today while borrowing other aspects, such as the use of reindeer. The story of santa claus by joseph mccullough goodreads. As author vicky howard notes, we can never outgrow the anticipation of a visit from santa claus. Nick, no matter the name, everyone knows the story of this plump, jolly. Other historians were unaware of a connection between santa and shamans or magic mushrooms, including stephen nissenbaum, who wrote a book about the origins. Todays image of santa claus is vastly different from the one that many believe was the inspiration behind the icon in the first place. The tradition of santa claus entering dwellings through the chimney is shared by many european. How does this christmas giftbringer differ from santa claus.
The american version of the santa claus figure received its inspiration and its name from the dutch legend of sinter klaas, brought by settlers to new york in the 17th century. The modern image of santa claus has been refined again and again. Our mythology of santa claus comes to us through england, and that traces to holland and germany, and so on. Specifically, our current santa came to life courtesy of washington irving. History of santa claus book 1 santa through the years. Early representations of the giftgiver from church history and folklore. The title of the book really indicates exactly what the book is about. Dec 17, 2018 it would become santa claus other name, kris kringle. You dont have to be a child to appreciate the magic within the book of santa claus. Glenn reads aloud first chapter of his new book about origins of santa claus october 08, 2015. Dec 19, 2015 origins of santa claus todays image of santa claus is vastly different from the one that many believe was the inspiration behind the icon in the first place. In newly christianized areas where the pagan celtic and germanic cults remained strong, legends of the god wodan were blended with those of. Glenn reads aloud first chapter of his new book about. The real story of santa claus begins with saint nicholas 270 343 ad, who was born in the village of patara, an area which was once greek but is now part of turkey.
An anonymously written poem titled the childrens friend was written 12 years later, turning santa claus into a nonreligious giftgiving saint who wore fur and was propelled by a single reindeer. Little is known of him, but he is traditionally identified as a 4thcentury bishop of myra in asia minor. Howard dedication and bio, memorial for outstanding santas of the past, the story of the first santa claus group, the story of the. December 6 marks saint nicholas day, and i thought id mark the beginning of the christmas season by telling the story of santa claus s namesake.
Not only is santa claus as you know him a new yorker, he was actually kind of invented at the newyork historical society. A new entry in the santa canon, caldecott winner idle imagines her popular rex character of the picture books tea rex and sea rex taking on an even kidfriendlier persona. Sure to delight dinosaur lovers and holiday cantwaiters alike, rex large stature and all has a surprisingly delicate touch when it comes to preparing the many trappings of the season, from paper. Dec 24, 2018 today we take a look at the comic book origins kinda, but mostly the adventures of santa claus in comics. What are the origins of the modern day santa claus. The original santa claus story santa claus history pghome. I believe this is a book parents can read to their children and then the children. Huttons book is dedicated to the history of the ritual year in great britain, as a result his treatment of santa claus only gets a few pages, but they are insightful few pages.
Well, every year, usually in the early fall, we have a large murder of crows, roosting in the trees on our riverbank. The real saint nicholas christian history christianity. Nicholas used his entire inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Other artists and writers continued the change to an elflike st. However, the origin of santa claus and krampus started out as two separate myths from different regions of the world. Dec 25, 2018 santa claus wasnt always chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf.
You will sometimes see the form santy in old books. As his prominence grew, sinter klaas was described as everything. Santa claus information gender male show information first appearance the life and adventures of santa claus santa claus is an iconic immortal hero of the holiday season. Webster and thomas nast, santa claus and his works. He became a bishop in greece and gained distinction in the councils of the church, being especially famed for unexpected gifts, and later associated with the giving of presents during the season at the end of the year. Origin and history of santa claus how st nicholas inspired santa claus nicholas was born long ago, far away but his generous faith still inspires today its a story with chapters both old and new please read as i repeat just a few. Travel back in time to view santa s pagan origins and his fascinating connections to the horned shaman, the greek god pan, the norse god wodan, and robin hood. A big, fat guy in a red suit with a fluffy white beard. Nicholas of myra was a fourthcentury catholic bishop in turkey. Santa claus, also known as father christmas, saint nicholas, saint nick, kris kringle, or simply santa, is an imaginary figure originating in western christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of wellbehaved children on the night of christmas eve 24 december or during the early morning hours of christmas day 25 december. Discover additions of writer washington irving, minister clement moore. Travel back in time to view santas pagan origins and his fascinating connections to the horned shaman, the greek god pan, the norse god wodan, and robin hood. Dec 21, 2018 in fact, many credit nast with the idea of santa having a toy workshop.
The story is a little quirky, but what a great framework for the message it is very cleverly written. This is a very helpful book for children asking questions about santa claus. All americans are familiar with the icon of christmas. A man dressed as santa claus waves to children from an annual holiday train in chicago, 2012. The book of santa claus nicholas ewing paleveda published on the last day of four consecutive blood moons all on passover and sukkot and a solar eclipse over the north pole on the ecclesiastical new year, the book of santa claus is a manifesto to combat the. Later in life, he became a saint, and focused his efforts on children.
Nimrod is lurking nearby at christmas, so maybe he really is santa claus too. The modern american version of the suit can be attributed to the work of thomas nast for harpers weekly magazine, although it is often incorrectly thought that haddon sundblom designed the suit in his advertising work for the cocacola company. Elves became linked with santa claus in the 1823 poem a visit from st. The origins of christmas, and santa claus, branch off into different beliefs and areas siberian shamanism and the amanita muscaria being a branch on the christmas tree, if you will, among different branches including the christian st. Dec 23, 2014 santa claus, a contraction for saint nicholas, was born in the 3rd century, perhaps in a. Dec 24, 20 the dutch name for saint nick sinter klaas is the origin of our corruption to santa claus.
Santa claus is an iconic immortal hero of the holiday season. Yes, there is a santa claus and this provocative book will tell you who he really is. Dec 19, 2017 santa claus is, perhaps unfortunately, the most recognizable character during the christmas season. In a winding, magical tale filled with mystery and good will towards all men, joseph mccullough travels across europe. Saint nicholas sinter klaas santa claus read the story of nicholas, 3rd century bishop of myra, asia minor present day turkey and how over time stories of his holy, generous life were embelished into legend. The perfect christmas gift, this beautiful book explains how the bearded, red clad, big bellied, reindeer driving jovial gent came to be the face of christmas, and reveals the historical origins of saint nicholas over seventeen hundred years ago in the eastern roman empire. Dec 24, 2014 the real story of santa claus begins with saint nicholas 270 343 ad, who was born in the village of patara, an area which was once greek but is now part of turkey.
Once the yule season rolls around, you cant shake a sprig of mistletoe without seeing images of a chubby man in a red suit. The mispronunciation stuck making sinterklaas into santa claus. The real man behind santa claus and the books that made him. The recognisably modern figure of the english father christmas developed. Teresa chris, author of the book the story of santa claus, wrote that in 1822, moore sat down to write his children a christmas poem, having been inspired by irvings tales.
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