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By: Maggie Johnson
As we all know, Santa is a big deal when discussing Christmas around the U.S. and other countries, especially for younger children. Santa is a well-known man who lives in the North Pole, is normally fat, and has a white beard. And along with the big man he had little helpers that were first introduced in literature by Louisa May Alcott in 1856 called elves. A type of Santa was first introduced in the fourth century. The story behind Santa Claus goes back to the third century, but it wasn’t “Santa” yet, instead, it was St. Nicholas a real person. Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who helped the people who needed help. And once this “Saint Nicholas” died, to honor him that’s why there has been said to be a man giving presents to people every Christmas.
This is the well known bishop Saint Nicholas.
Let's get into more detail about Nicholas. It is believed that he was born around A.D. 280 in Patara, by Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was depicted as everything from a tall gaunt man to a spooky-looking elf. He almost barely cared for people who had everything they needed but instead.” Santa was doing good but he could have cared more for everyone although he had his priorities straight,” That is what Zoey Carter has to say about Santa’s giving for the poor.
Next up we have Father Christmas. Father Christmas was a symbol of the Christmas season and didn’t typically give out presents like the Santa we know. He was mostly a church figure. Long before the symbol of Father Christmas emerged in England, the separate legend of Sinterklaas was gaining ground in Europe.
I agree Santa is super fun for most young kids leaving a glass of milk with cookies too out for him. But how many people believe in him? An article from CNN says, “In interviews, 85% of 4-year-olds said that they believed in Santa, 65% of 6-year-olds said that they believed, and 25% of 8-year-olds said that they believed.” More than one-fifth of adults surveyed said they believe in Santa Claus. Also, most middle schoolers do not believe anymore.
Overall types of Santa, he is a jolly old man who usually has a soft belly and a huge beard white as snow. Although there are so many more “Santa Clauses” these were the most common evolutions of him. Here is what Dorothy Hamilton has to say about the well-known man, “I think Santa is a fun tradition that is good for the whole family,” they are all the same spirit with lots of versions even though you may -like me- don’t believe in Santa you should still believe in the Christmas spirit and have a merry Christmas.
Maggie Johnson bio: Maggie is a 6th grader at EJHS with two sisters, loves basketball, and is a journalist.
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