Although it offers some historical information about santa and the how traditions have evolved over time, it was done as a mostly boring and tedious timeline. My fiancee author jennifer wright and i joked privately, and then on twitter, that since every house has its own traditions and lore surrounding christmas, we would tell our child that the black santa claus was the real santa, he said. The most influential of these are the norse odin and germanic woden two similar deities that share a. Santa s waistline expanded in 1809 with the publication of author washington irvings book a history of new york, in which the big man is described. Nicholas of myra was a fourthcentury catholic bishop in turkey. Nicholas and because he is a real myth, there should be no qualms in regards to teaching children to believe in santa claus. The book emphasizes how saint nicholas inspired people to. As author vicky howard notes, we can never outgrow the anticipation of a visit from santa claus. Columbus and the myth of americas immaculate conception. Behind todays mythical santa claus from the north pole, is a real saint st. It starts with a child asking grandpa if santa is real and the grandpa telling him about the first saint nicolas. How he gave to the needy and did it in secret bc giving. Nicholas and the holiday traditions, such as giftgiving, inspired by him.
It is believed that nicholas was born sometime around. Father christmas fills the role in many european countries. Fiftytwo children who no longer believed in santa claus were individually administered a structured interview on their reactions to discovering the truth. More than reindeer and a red suit, a book for children published by vom that tells the true story of st.
With this fresh new take on the christmas mythos entering the pop culture vocabulary, its creator ponders why we even imagine santa the way we do. The book tells the story of saint nicholas, a christina bishop who is the basis for the modernday santa claus. These books assist parents in the difficult task of answering lifes tough questions. Their parents completed a questionnaire assessing their initial encouragement of the child to believe in santa and rating their childs reactions to discovering the truth as well as their own reactions to the childs discovery. Nov 25, 20 the stories commonly told today about santa claus are based on legends surrounding the life of a real person. Nicholas who lived long ago who changed the world because of the secret presents he gave to the young at night which fell into their stockings hung by the fire. 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. Santa claus is a traditional, secular figure of christmas good cheer who is the best known at least in modern times mascot of christmas, developed in the united states as an amalgam of the story of st. Nicholas of myra, the man whose story became the basis of our modernday santa claus. Santa claus wasnt always chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. Heres how to tell your kids that santa claus is real. Saint nicholas of myra traditionally 15 march 270 6 december 343, also known as nicholas of bari, was an early christian bishop of greek descent from the maritime city of myra in asia minor greek.
Is it good or bad to tell children that santa claus is a myth. The santa claus myth is based largely on the dutch holiday of. Theres no reindeer, no sled, no red suit, no toyshop in the north pole, no elves, no mrs. Santa claus is as real as elvis, promises the comic book writer. And if you still dont believe me, here are nine proofs to prove that point like the point on my pointy shoes. Is santa real how saint nicholas became santa claus. 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. The ancient origins of santa claus ancient origins. The history and origins of santa claus jason mankey. Santa the only claus one qualifies of our as national a genuine popular folk culture. Dec 04, 2018 anchored in the truth of christmas deepest meaning and the gift who inspired all subsequent giftgiving, i think were free to enjoy the myth of santa claus with our children.
In preparation for this research, i looked up the word myth in the 1847 websters. If they saw a white santa at the mall, wed explain that this was his husband. Dr coulson concludesthe santa myth is a wonderful lie, but the more we tell lies, the more our kids are going to find out we are deceitful. Santas waistline expanded in 1809 with the publication of author washington irvings book a history of new york, in. He was born to wealthy parents, who died in an epidemic while nicholas was still young. Dec 07, 2019 technically, santa claus is not entirely a myth as he is the modern american personification of the real life fourth century bishop nicholas of myra located in modern turkey, who has long been recognized as a saint in the roman catholic, orthodox and some other churches and whose feast day is celebrated on december 6th. Santa claus and his presents we have seen numerous movies that made us believe that santa works with elves in the north pole to get all the christmas presents made, painted and packed. The legend of santa claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named st. Santa claus will be a gay black man in a new childrens book. Find out how the jolly figure is rooted in both folklore and fact. Hang your stockings and say your prayers, cause santa claus comes tonight jump in bed, cover up your head, cause santa claus comes tonight so lets give thanks to the lord above cause santa claus comes tonight. Legend of the fat man a science fiction holiday adventure claus series book 1 kindle edition by bertauski, tony.
This christmas tell your children the real santa claus story. 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. Beautifully illustrated and simply told, the truth about santa claus does more than open your childs eyes. This poem contributed greatly to the legend of santa in north america. Nicholas differs strongly from the modern santa claus. Claus, no portly middle, no milk and cookies, and no product placement. Dec 19, 2019 santa claus is a magical part of christmas, but telling a child the bittersweet truth about the cherished tradition can be another stress for parents during an already busy holiday season. But many dont realize saint nicholas was a real guy. People around the world are celebrating christmas and perhaps enjoying a few gifts from santa claus. How kristen bell told her daughter the truth about santa claus. A beautiful book giving the history of the real man who was st. Heres how to tell your kids that santa claus is real the. Dec 21, 2017 saying that santa claus is a myth, therefore, is acknowledging his reality that resides on a much bigger plane than what we are usually accustomed. Truth to be told, it was in the 1890s when an author by name louis moe wrote a book describing santa and his elves working on making gifts.
Dec 17, 20 the santa claus myth was affected to a large degree by a whole host of norse myths and gods. The first issue was can the santa claus myth and magic be presented and preserved for our children without lying. From this real man came the fictional santa claus of christmas. Dec 12, 2018 santa claus is the obscuring of thrilling truth because we think the real truth cant compete with santa claus in the hearts of our children, which leads now to the second issue. This year, santa claus is black and gaythanks to this. Myth a fictious or fanciful narrative, having an analogy more or less remote from some real event. Nov 09, 2014 but we dont need to believe that a myth is factually true for our lives to be enriched by it. Santa clausotherwise known as saint nicholas or kris kringle has a long history steeped in christmas traditions. Santa clause was based on the man saint nick, and a myth was made about a man named santa claus. He is a magical figure, drawn from the legends, history, and folklore of many countries. All americans are familiar with the icon of christmas. Santa claus is a magical part of christmas, but telling a child the bittersweet truth about the cherished tradition can be another stress for parents during an already busy holiday season. Nicholas used his entire inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.
Nicholas and various other seasonal folk heroes, with many aspects provided by the classic poem a visit from st. Im not the first to have mixed feelings about santa claus. How he came to be todays giftgiving jolly figure from. People who teach children that santa claus is real often argue that its the one true magical thing about being a child. Dec 25, 2018 santa claus wasnt always chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. It also points them to the real meaning of christmas, the birth of jesus, and why giving gifts is a reminder of the greatest gift of all, the love of god expressed in his son. He goes on a diatribe that culminates with, he was a brave italian explorer. Santa claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of christmas in the united states and other countries, bringing gifts to children. Nicholas and the holiday traditions, such as giftgiving, inspired. Dec 23, 2009 eventually, santa claus developed into a uniquely american character.
The most influential of these are the norse odin and. Written from a christian perspective, this story, when read to a child, will enable. The real santa claus goodreads meet your next favorite book. Here is his true story, as well as how he transformed into our modern day santa claus. Try to ban a book cos it makes fun of santa claus were told 80% of people like the president in the polls while only 15% believe hes in control.
In 1832, clement moore wrote a poem called a visit from saint nicholas. Also is usually a relative or someone who livess with or near you point is. Grant morrison on turning santa claus into a superhero in. All americans are familiar with the icon of christmas, but. Santa claus, also known as father christmas, saint nicholas, saint nick, kris kringle, or simply santa, is an imaginary figure originating in western christian. 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. Why you should lie to your kids about santa pbs newshour. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
His popular image is based on traditions associated with saint nicholas, a 4thcentury christian saint. The following is excerpted from a note from the author to parents and educators that is included in the story of st. As a nice and friendly surrogate christ, the santa claus of the strong santa claus myth, unwittingly and through no fault of his own, has become an antichrist. The mathematics of christmas overlook press the new hardcover edition is out now, just in time. You dont have to be a child to appreciate the magic within the book of santa claus. A big, fat guy in a red suit with a fluffy white beard. It is more commonly known by its first verse twas the night before christmas. Nickno matter the name, everyone knows the story of this plump, jolly, bringer of gifts. Say goodbye to the santa claus lie psychology today. This book follows the evolution of the santa claus myth starting with saint nicholas and ending with present day interpretations. That definition certainly describes the santa claus myth. Author harold myra was ceo of christianity today international for 32 years, and his christian perspective informs the storytelling. The santa claus myth was affected to a large degree by a whole host of norse myths and gods. Grant morrison on turning santa claus into a superhero in klaus.
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