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When one is asked, “Is Santa Claus real?”, the first thing that comes to mind is, “How old are you?” Many people believe that Santa Claus is a fictional character created to excite children for Christmas.  Contrary to popular belief, Santa Claus was a real person; or rather persons, who evolved into the legendary one-and-only Santa Claus.

The American version of Santa Claus is a combination of two legendary people.  Saint Nicholas, also known as Sinter Klaas, was the Dutch and Myran, patron and saint of children in the fourth century.  Legend has it that he wore a long red cape, carried a golden staff, and rode upon a flying gray horse.  He carried a big book that told whether each individual child had been good or naughty over the past year.   Children adored him because he delivered presents to underprivileged children everywhere.  In the early United States, Dutch settlements in New York celebrated “Sinterklaas”, a holiday celebrating Saint Nicholas.

In the early 1800’s, a mysterious man who went by Saint A. Claus delivered gifts to children living in poverty throughout the New York area.  He was said to ride a white pony and wear a red robe, like Sinter Klaas.  He did this every Christmas until his death.  He not only led children to believe that Saint Nicholas lived on and delivered gifts every year, but he inspired many other men to dress up like Sinter Klaas and deliver presents to children.  This led to modern day Santa Claus “impersonators”.

The modern-day American image of Santa Claus was influenced by Americans like Washington Irving, Thomas Nast, and Clement Clarke Moore.  Washington Irving wrote stories about the Dutch “Sinter Klass” that Americans loved.  Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem, “The Night Before Christmas” which included fantasy details like flying reindeer, elves, and Santa’s red cheeks, winks, laughs, and nods.  Thomas Nast elaborated further on the American image of Santa Claus through his magazine illustrations.  He depicted Santa as a plump man with a white beard.  He also added such details as Santa’s elves and workshop at the North Pole.  In 1939, Ruldolph, the ninth reindeer, was introduced by an advertising company to lead Santa’s sleigh. Everyone remembers the excitement they had as a child for Santa Claus to come and leave them goodies on Christmas.

Now, when someone asks, “Is Santa Claus real?”, you can truthfully reply, “Well of course he is!”

By: Brae Beck