It's that time again. Christmas is near and the snow is starting to cover the frozen ground. Santa will be coming again. Santa who is one of the main characters of the Christmas thing came about back during the 4th Century. A bishop by the name of St. Nicholas was said to give gifts secretly. Then parents started to give presents to their children in the name of St. Nicholas who was also known as the patron saint of children. Back in 1613, when New Amsterdam was founded, they brought the custom of giving gifts on St. Nicholas' Feast Day which fell on December 6. With names such as Sant Nikolaas or Sinter Clas in Dutch, it was later changed to Santa Claus.

The appearance and behaviour of Santa are attributed to a poem written in the 19th century which was called A Visit From St. Nicholas by the poet, Clement C. Moore. This poem introduced things such as the sleigh, eight reindeer and his appearance as a jovial, redchecked, plump elf with a white beard.

Thomas Nast was the first to state that santa's address was the North Pole and that was during the 1860's. So, if you are good this year you might catch a glimpse of Old Nick.

Submitted by

George H