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The Christmas season is truly felt when you see Santa everywhere. But do you know who he is? Let’s look at the origin and the history behind how his meaning evolved over the years. Read on to learn more about Santa, its history, and the traditions behind the name. 

Who is Santa Claus

Santa Claus is the English name of the Dutch word for St. Nicholas Sinterklaas. Historically, he is known for his charity and generosity. The estimated period was around AD 280 in Patara, Asia Minor, when Nicholas was born. He then became a bishop of Myra in modern-day Turkey. He died around December AD 343. It was believed that Nicholas’s family could trace their spiritual heritage to the Apostle Paul, who passed by Pattara on one of his missionary journeys. 

The parents of Nicholas died while he was still a young boy. The loss drew him closer to God and made him sensitive to the people’s sufferings. He then used his large inheritance to serve God and the people. 

Though many stories have been told about Nicholas, one thing is sure. Wealth, kindness, and generosity are always part of those stories. After his death on December 6, a gift-giving tradition began in his honor. The date is still observed and celebrated in many countries as St. Nicholas Day. 

In Germany, kids were taught that the Christ Child gave gifts. The name Kriss Kringle is the English form of “Christ Child.” Kriss Kringle was associated with St. Nicholas, St. Nick, Santa Claus, and Father Christmas in the United States. 

Over the years, different periods have renditions of St. Nicholas’s appearance. He is often depicted as a tall, thin, bearded cleric. The red suit and white beard are based on the vestments of the bishops worn by the Dutch Sinterklaas. Through the years, the image of Santa evolved, making him more friendly and adorable, especially to children. 

The tradition celebrating St. Nicholas

Christians initially celebrated December 6 in honor of St. Nicholas by giving gifts. The tradition developed over the years as St. Nicholas would visit good boys and girls on December 5 in his red robe and boots. For naughty kids, St. Nicholas is feared. In Germany, for instance, St. Nicholas is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, who threatened to eat naughty kids. In the Netherlands, the helper of St. Nicholas would tie bad kids in a sack. 

The tradition of Santa, stockings, and presents can be traced back to the Dutch and was brought to the New World. The image and practice we know of Santa Claus today were based on the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” written in 1823. 

Though the modern Santa Claus came from the figure surrounded by fantasy. His image can help us know and remember the honest St. Nicholas. He is a man who devoted his life to serving God and the people. 

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Christmas is just around the corner, and most homes are decorated. Christmas trees are also expected to be seen since they are the most popular decor worldwide. The history goes back to evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome. The tradition continued with the Germans, bringing candlelit trees to the United States in the 1800s. Read on to learn more about the Christmas tree and its origins. 

How it all started

Even before the spread of Christianity, people regarded plants and trees that remained green all year to be remarkable. People during ancient times hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows, just like how we turn them these days. 

During winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, ancient people believed that the sun god had become sick and weak. The solstice is celebrated because this means that the sun god will become well again. The evergreens reminded them of all the other green plants and that summer would return with more blooms. 

The ancient Egyptians worshiped the god Ra. When Ra began to recover from his illness during the winter solstice, the Egyptians filled their homes with green palms, representing the triumph of life over death.  

The Romans celebrated the solstice with a feast that they called Saturnalia. This was to honor Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. The solstice is a reminder that the farms will again be green and productive. As such, their homes were decorated with boughs of evergreen. 

Christmas trees in Germany

Records have shown that Christmas trees should be credited to the Germans. During the 16th century, Christians added trees to their homes and decorated them. Many families also created pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles. People also believed that the 16th-century Protestant reformer Martin Luther was the first to add lit candles to a tree. He shared this idea with his family when he erected a tree in the main room and decorated it with lighted candles. 

American Christmas trees

Christmas trees in America were only known in the 19th century when the German settlers of Pennsylvania displayed trees. As early as the mid-1700s, German immigrants already had community trees that closely resembled the Christmas trees we know today. However, the Americans did not accept Christmas trees immediately in their culture as they saw them as pagan symbols. 

It was in the 1890s that Christmas ornaments arrived in the United States from Germany. This was also the period of the rise of the popularity of Christmas trees. In contrast with the Europeans, American Christmas trees usually are tall and reach from floor to ceiling. By the 20th century, Americans decorated the trees with homemade ornaments, apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. The availability of electricity made it possible to use Christmas lights that will make the trees glow. 

Since then, Christmas trees have been mass-produced and made available to the public worldwide. For countries where evergreens are expensive, artificial trees were made available commercially along with Christmas decorations and lights. These days, almost everybody has their own Christmas tree in their homes. Others created their version of the tree using twigs and branches. 

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