is it for real that a man bring gife for you on christmas
2007-12-19 06:47:30 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
A WISE MANS ANSWERD
Okay, well, let me answer first for those under 10yo children who might be reading this weblog: of course he is!
Now, let's dig into it just a bit further, as the mythology of Santa Claus has a long and interesting history. First off, Santa's proper name is Saint Nicholas, though he's picked up a lot of nicknames throughout the years, including Kris Kringle, Father Christmas and Sinterklaas.
Saint Nicholas of Myra was a saint who lived back in the 4th Century in Byzantia (modern-day Turkey) who had the reputation of secretly giving gifts to the poor. Most famously, legend has it that he presented three desperately poor daughters of a Christian with dowries so they wouldn't end up as prostitutes.
St. Nicholas is still revered as the patron saint of seamen, merchants, archers, children, prisoners, pawnbrokers, and even prostitutes. He's also one of the patron saints of Russia, now that I think about it. A busy guy.
Saint Nicholas of Turkey (from Wikipedia)Saint Nick inspired two legends: Nikolaus in Germany, and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, both of which directly contributed to the legend of Santa Claus himself.
Depictions of Santa Claus as a jolly, heavy white bearded older man are apparently directly lifted from the Russian mythological character Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost). Ded Moroz is historically represented as wearing a red coat, fur boots and a long white beard. Since Russian immigration directly influenced much of the Western European and then American tradition, it's very likely that our current picture of Santa Claus is directly from Grandfather Frost.
Many of the historical legends behind Santa Claus also involve children leaving out fodder in their shoes for the horse that Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, or similar rode. Most likely that's what has evolved into the modern tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace, actually.
The definitive modern interpretation of Santa Claus, however, is widely agreed to have been The Night Before Christmas (formerly known as "A Visit from St. Nicholas", actually), wherein Santa is described as being heavyset and riding a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer who are named for the first time in this 1823 publication. Another popular publication early in the 19th Century was The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, by Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum.
Okay, so that's the academic side of things. Interesting, but missing a certain level of heart, of soul.
So is there a Santa Claus?
Well, we live in a world where the idea of someone rewarding good behavior in this life, rather than the next (or at the door to the Pearly Gates) sounds darn nice, and particularly for children, is a good reminder of the rewards of thrift, virtue, compassion and honesty. And those are sorely missing attributes in our modern world, if you ask me.
So yes, I think that there is a Santa Claus.
I'll certainly make sure we leave a plate of cookies and glass of milk out on Christmas Eve. How about you?
2007-12-19 06:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by Shay p 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know who told you that but they must be a very sad person. Santa lives!! And i'll argue the point with anyone who says otherwise!! At the grand age of 40 I can honestly say I have been, and will always be a believer!!
2016-05-25 01:36:16 · answer #2 · answered by marget 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The day you are old enough to wonder if Santa is real or not is the day you are old enough to be Santa yourself. Is there anyone in your life who could use a smile and a gift? Can you donate to the local Toys for Tots or soup kitchen or coat drive?
You are Santa. Are you real? (-:
Santa is real as long as we keep his spirit alive.
2007-12-19 07:17:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no the actual man died a long time ago, but now we have the legend of santa claus, whose real name is Saint Nickolas. he was a man who would take gold and toys, if there were children, to poor families. the santa claus we have now is a commercial version made after the man died so everyone could have a part in the free gifts. but more important than there being a real santa claus is the spirit of santa claus. giving selflessly of ourselves for people less fortunate than us.
2007-12-19 07:12:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claus, was based on a real historic person so in this sense, yes he was real. Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity.
2007-12-19 09:13:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
santa is a true belief of a loving and giving avatar.
you can choose to make santa real, or not.
just remember, careful what you choose to believe: it could all come true.
2007-12-19 07:01:33 · answer #6 · answered by Poli Rad 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If Santa was real, no one would have to do christmas shopping.
The answer is no.
2007-12-19 06:55:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Who is this Santa?
2007-12-19 06:55:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course he is! he's more real than the other answers you got here.
Merry christmas!
2007-12-19 08:15:45 · answer #9 · answered by Corona 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23
2007-12-19 06:56:58 · answer #10 · answered by ♥NYmommy♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋