Christmas 2025 Special: Know the Real Story of Santa Claus

Christmas is one of the popular festivals celebrated globally. It marks the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.

Although it is the main festival for Christians, it is also celebrated with great joy by people from other religions.

At Christmas, the one thing that captures attention, especially for children, is the red-costumed jovial man, whom we popularly known as Santa Claus.

Well, most believe that he is a fictional character, but what if you discover that he was real or inspired by a real person who lived over 1,700 years ago?

It may seem weird to you, but it is true. Today, we will uncover the unknown facts on it.

Santa Claus History: Who Is The Inspiration Behind the Character?

Santa Claus is a popular character we all see at Christmas. He wears a red costume and a cap and is riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer with his bag stuffed with gifts.

This character may seem fictional, but very few know that Saint Nicholas is the inspiration behind him.

He was a Christian bishop who lived in Patara, near Myra (now part of modern Turkey) in the 4th century.

Born to a wealthy family in 280 ADS, Nicholas was famous for his extreme kindness and caring towards the poor and children.

It says that he lost his parents at a very young age. After that, he had an aim to help the poor people.

Nicholas prepared to become a priest despite Christianity being illegal under the Roman Empire. For that, the king had him imprisoned.

 Later, when Emperor Constantine approved Christianity as a religion, he was made Bishop of Myra.

St Nicholas Miracles: How Christmas Stockings Started with a Bag of Gold

Among the popular tales of Saint Nicholas, helping a poor man with the money for the wedding of his three daughters is a popular one.

The system of dowry existed even in those times when people had to arrange money to get their daughters married.

The poor man had three daughters but was unable to afford the huge amount to get his daughters married.

But his pitiful condition saw a ray of hope when Nicholas helped him by secretly throwing bags full of gold coins through the man’s windows, for his three daughters on three different nights.

Legends say that one bag fell into a stocking near the fireplace to dry. That began the origin of hanging Christmas stockings.

From Saint to Legend: How Saint Nicholas Became a Global Tradition

Saint Nicholas breathed his last on December 6, 343 AD. The Christian church declared him a saint. People remembered this generous spirit and celebrated his feast every day.

Over time, new traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas evolved in different cultures. In the Netherlands, he was named ‘Sinterklaas’.

From Dutch Sinterklaas to Coca-Cola Icon: How Santa Got His Modern Look

Later in the 1700s, the Dutch incorporated this tradition into America. And so the Sinterklass was eventually renamed ‘Santa Claus’ in English.

However, the Santa we are familiar with is different from the original saint. In the early depictions, Santa appeared tall and thin in various colored robes.

It was then in 1823, when a poem named ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ depicted him as a jolly old elf riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

In other words, the character became the modern adaptation of him. Now Santa appears as a chubby, spirited man with a white beard, donning a red costume suit with white fur.

The look became popular in the 1900s.

This new adaptation of Santa we know today was popularised through Haddon Sundblom’s artwork in Coca-Cola advertisements in the 1930s.

Difference Between Santa Claus and St Nicholas & The Timeless Spirit of Giving

Contrary to Saint Nicholas, the real man behind Santa never rode a sleigh and never lived in the North Pole.

What birthed the legend of Santa was his giving nature and moral values of sharing kindness and selfless joy with others.

This tradition still exists with parents inculcating the habit of giving in their children and making them better human beings.

They always convince them that Santa brings gifts to those who are good all the time.

During Christmas, people decorate their houses with Christmas trees, bells, and other decorations, including reindeer and snowmen.

Even in the corporate field, people play Secret Santa in choosing a gift for a person whose name is on their chit.

During Christmas, shops offer visitors new Christmas offers. It displays Santa figurines, Christmas trees, and other exciting items.

You will also see a moving Santa welcoming its guests with a musical instrument.

Final words

Now you know the actual story of Santa Claus, who is an inspiration of Saint Nicholas. The festival of Christmas is about sharing, caring, joy, and kindness with each other.

These are the greatest gifts to give someone bereft of joy and happiness. Saint Nicholas may have died centuries ago, but he still lives on as a spirit and as a message of giving in the form of Santa Claus, who teaches you how to brighten the lives of people by sharing happiness and kindness.

FAQs

Q: Was Santa Claus a Real Person?

A: Santa Claus was an inspiration of St. Nicholas, a Christian bishop who lived in a place called Patara, near Myra (now part of modern Turkey) in the 4th century.

Q: What is the similarity between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus?

A: Santa Claus is the modern adaptation of Saint Nicholas. The only similarity between the two is the joy of giving, generosity, and kindness towards all living beings.

Q: Are there any movies about Santa Claus?

A: Yes, there are many movies based on Santa Claus. Some of them include The Christmas Chronicles (2018) and Klaus (2019).

Q: Who are the other famous characters besides Santa Claus?

A: The other famous characters besides Santa Claus include Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty, the Snowman, Mrs Claus, and the Elves.

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