Benevolent and compassionate santa claus
Santa Claus is a mythical gift figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, traditionally on December 24, Christmas Eve. The popular American form of Santa Claus originated as a mispronunciation of the Dutch Sinterklaas, which is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas).
Santa Claus is a very beloved figure in many countries and predates the character of “Santa Claus.” “Santa Claus” is similar in many ways, although the two have quite different origins. Using ‘Santa’ in places that predominantly call him ‘Santa Claus’ is often considered Americanism and is quite rare, although they are generally considered the same character. Santa Claus is also present in place of “Santa” in Albania (“Babadimri”), Armenia (“Gaghant Baba”), Denmark (“Julemanden”), Hungary (“Mikulás”), Italy (“Babbo Natale”), Lithuania (“Kalėdų Senelis”), Brazil (“Papai Noel”), Portugal (“Pai Natal”), Romania (“Moş Crăciun”), Russia (Ded Moroz), Germany (“Weihnachtsmann” or “Nikolaus”), Highlands from Scotland (“Daidaín na Nollaig”), France and French Canada (“Le Père Noël”), Ireland (“Daidí na Nollaig”), Finland (“Joulupukki”), Norway (“Julenissen”), Sweden (“Jultomten “), Bulgaria (” Dyado Koleda “), Turkey (” Noel Baba “), Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (” Deda Mraz “), Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America (” Santa Claus “), Afghanistan (” Baba Chaghaloo ” ), Iraq and South Africa (“Vader Kersfees”), Chile (Viejo Pascuero), Malta (“San Niklaw”), Egypt (“Papa Noël”), Iran (“Baba Noel”).
Santa Claus, the legendary Christmas gift bearer, is generally depicted as a fat, jolly man with a white beard, dressed in a red suit trimmed with white and driving a sleigh full of toys pulled through the air by eight reindeer. Santa Claus (also called Saint Nicholas and Saint Nicholas) is said to visit him on Christmas Eve, entering the houses through the chimney to leave gifts under the Christmas tree and in the stockings of all the good children.
The historic Saint Nicholas was revered in early Christian legends for saving storm-stricken sailors, defending young children, and giving generous gifts to the poor. Although many of the stories about Saint Nicholas are of doubtful authenticity, his legend spread throughout Europe, emphasizing his role as a traditional bearer of gifts. The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift figures such as the Roman Befana and the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht.
In these countries it was sometimes said that Nicholas rode through heaven. He was depicted in bishop’s gowns and was sometimes said to be accompanied by Black Peter, an elf whose job it was to spank mischievous children. The fiesta of Nicolás, when gifts were received, was traditionally observed on December 6. After the Reformation, German Protestants encouraged the veneration of (baby Jesus) as a gift giver at their own feast, on December 25. When the tradition of Nicolas prevailed, he became attached to Christmas itself.
The American version of the Santa Claus figure was inspired and named after the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought to New York by settlers in the 17th century. As early as 1773 the name appeared in the American press as St. A Claus, but it was the popular author Washington Irving who gave Americans their first detailed information on the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas.
The fully detailed modern image of Santa Claus plays a role in Christmas celebrations around the world. People remember Santa Claus through advertising, greeting cards, decorations and the annual appearance of Santa Claus in department stores and shopping malls, in some cases accompanied by Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves. The figure of Santa Claus appears in movies and in songs like Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Here Comes Santa Claus. Children write letters to Santa Claus and prepare milk and cookies on Christmas Eve as a snack for Santa.
Although most adults see Santa Claus as the embodiment of a spirit of generosity, some argue that the modern image of Santa Claus conflicts with the true meaning of Christmas and promotes greed and commercialism. To reconcile the legend of Santa Claus with the religious significance of Christmas, some Christians emphasize that the modern figure is derived from legends about a saint who symbolized love, care, and generosity.