2006-12-28 09:43:21 · 7 answers · asked by monica p 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
" Santa Claus is a variation of a Dutch folk tale based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas, a bishop from Myra in Asia Minor (the greater part of modern-day Turkey), who used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. His charity became legend when a man lost his fortune and found himself incapable of supporting his three daughters, who would not be able to find husbands as they lacked dowries. This man was going to give them over to a life of prostitution; however, St Nicholas provided them with gold, enabling them to retain their virginal virtues and marry.
This inspired figure of Sinterklaas, the subject of a major celebration in the Netherlands and Belgium, Germany which in turn inspired both the myth and the name of Santa Claus."
there is more about it here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_clause#Historical_origins
and thats where i found the information
2006-12-28 09:50:56 · answer #1 · answered by *mouse* 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
St. Nicholas was a guy who gave gifts to kids, when he died parents wanted to find a way to make there kids be good all year long (or the month of December). So they made up Santa Clause, a guy who slides down your chimney on Christmas Eve and gives you gifts (but only of your good!). That's just a short explanation.
2006-12-28 11:45:10 · answer #2 · answered by Chocolat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Mouse pretty much got the whole story for you. I'll just add that the story The Night before Christmas was written in approximately 1832. That is the story that changed Santa's look to his present day.
2006-12-28 10:23:57 · answer #3 · answered by Marge Simpson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It actually goes back a long time ago, the Christians believe that when baby Jesus was born 3 wise men came to see him bringing gifts. Santa came much later on.
2006-12-28 11:07:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to respond to the question approximately Santa Claus, hes a mythical character. The custom: in many lands, Santa Claus is seen simply by fact the only that brings little ones presents. little ones many times write to Santa, soliciting for provides, which, in accordance to custom, elves help him to make at his North Pole headquarters. Its roots: in accordance to the favored view, the Santa Claus delusion owes its beginning place to Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Asia Minor, now Turkey. “in simple terms approximately each thing written approximately St. Nicholas is in line with legends,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia. The designation “Santa Claus” could owe its beginning place to the interest Sinterklaas, a corruption of the Dutch words for “Saint Nicholas.” traditionally and Biblically, Santa Claus has no longer something in elementary with Jesus Christ. What Jesus gave us grow to be his existence to be certain that us to be reconciled to Jehovah. by utilising skill of Jesus sacrifice, we've the possibility of living ceaselessly here on earth. Psalm 37:29 says: the righteous themselves will very own the earth and that they're going to stay consistently upon it". Jesus existence grow to be a recent to us from Jehovah God. that's the suited present and suited recent that any individuals can acquire; The opportunityto stay existence eternal unfastened from loss of life, tears, mourning, sorrow and soreness.(Revelation 21:3,4).
2016-10-28 14:02:19 · answer #5 · answered by arrocha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a very ggod documentary from the history channel called christmas unwrapped that digs into the history of xmas traditions. i got mine from netflix but im sure its at blockbuster too, id suggest checking it out
2006-12-28 10:22:39 · answer #6 · answered by kitkat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happy new year.
2006-12-28 15:26:36 · answer #7 · answered by cinabolic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋