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Santa Claus Is Based On A Real Person, Saint Nicholas
Although Santa Claus is now viewed as a jolly, fictional character, he was originally based on a real historical figure: Saint Nicholas. Born in the 3rd century in what is now modern-day Turkey, St. Nicholas was known for his generosity and compassion. By all accounts, he was very kind to children and habitually gave gifts in secret. Over time, St. Nicholas became an essential symbol of goodwill, and most cultures celebrated his life with feasts and songs. As Christianity spread across Europe, stories about St. Nicholas were adapted to fit local customs and beliefs, eventually leading to the creation of the modern-day Santa Claus.
Just as St. Nicholas dedicated his life to bringing joy and peace to others, today’s incarnation of Santa continues to embody these timeless virtues passed down through generations. Thus it can be said that even though mythical aspects have been added over time, at its core, Santa Claus remains faithful to who it was initially based off – Saint Nicholas himself. He still retains many of Saint Nicholas’ traits – similarly to the saint, Santa is renowned for giving presents during the holiday season and especially rewarding children who have been good throughout the year.
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Was Created By Robert L. May in 1939
Few stories have impacted holiday traditions more than the tale of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Originally written in 1939 by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward, the story about an endearingly awkward reindeer who saves Christmas with his bright red nose has earned its place in the hearts of millions. An attempt to tap into something more playful and magical during a time when Americans were struggling, Rudolph has inspired countless spin-offs, from TV specials to toys and merchandise.
Thanks to May’s inspiring vision and creativity, Rudolph’s iconic image is now synonymous with Christmas cheer. The character was so popular that Montgomery Ward published their own illustrated book of the story, selling over six million copies. It can be said with confidence that Rudolph will remain a treasured part of American culture for years to come.
Jingle Bells Was Originally Written As A Thanksgiving Song
Few Christmas songs have stood the test of time, like “Jingle Bells,” but many people may not know that the song was never meant to be a Christmas carol! James Lord Pierpont originally wrote it for his Sunday school programs in the mid-1850s, and it wasn’t titled “Jingle Bells” — it was called One Horse Open Sleigh. The opening lines of the second verse, “Heap of laughing all the way,” gave a clue to its original purpose — it was designed to welcome Thanksgiving guests.
That makes sense when you consider the leadup to Thanksgiving:
- Everyone takes delight in reuniting with old friends and family.
- There’s a lot of fun and festivity.
- Nearby horses neigh with glee.
In later years, though, publishers decided to give it a more festive spin. And this good old song slowly became synonymous with Christmas — giving us all something special to listen to (and sing!) during holiday times. Truly an occasion worth jingling your bells over! Who could have known that what initially started out as just another Thanksgiving song would become one of the most beloved melodies in history?
Extra Things You Didn’t Know About Christmas
-In Japan, a popular Christmas tradition involves eating KFC – because fried chicken is often an American holiday symbol.
-An estimated 2 billion Christmas cards are sent out and received worldwide every year – making it the largest seasonal card-sending time of the year.
-The world’s most famous Christmas lights display is on the White House lawn, decorated with over 70 trees during the holiday season.
-Did you know that Christmas was once illegal in the United States? In 1659, a law was passed banning all holiday celebrations – including Christmas! Fortunately, this law was later repealed, and holidays (including Christmas) were declared legal again.
-Christmas is one of the most profitable times of the year for businesses and retailers, with total spending reaching an estimated $602 billion in the US alone.
Did You Know These Things About Christmas?
We hope you enjoyed reading this post, and have a Merry Christmas! Christmas is a time of year that is steeped in tradition. From the decorations to the songs, we observe many customs without even thinking about where they came from. This holiday has a long and varied history, and exploring some of the lesser-known facts about Christmas is fascinating.
