Santa Claus

The legend of Santa Claus started out in Turkey as a 4th-century bishop named Nicholas. It said Nicholas helped poor noblemen provide dowries for their daughters by throwing gold coins down their chimneys. The coins landed magically in stockings hung by the fire to dry. Nicholas was later canonized as the patron saint of children, among others.
 

The Dutch who migrated to New York brought this legend to United States. They called Saint Nicholas as Sinter Klaas that later transformed into Santa Claus. There are some differences between the one in European legends from the character Americans have come to know. In Germany and Holland Saint Nicholas is sometimes said to ride through the sky on a horse, is depicted wearing a bishop's robes, and is said to be accompanied at times by Black Peter, an elf whose job is to whip naughty children. In North America he eventually developed into a fat, jolly old gentleman who had neither the religious attributes of Saint Nicholas nor the strict disciplinarian character of Black Peter.

Santa’s transformation began in 1823, when a New York newspaper published the poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” written by Clement Clark Moore. The poem introduced many Americans to the story of a kindly saint who flew over housetops in a reindeer–drawn sleigh. Portraits and drawings of Santa Claus by American illustrator Thomas Nast further strengthened the legend during the second half of the 19th century. Living at the North Pole and assisted by elves, the modern Santa produced and delivered toys to all good children.

In Indonesia, people tends to adopt the Dutch tradition of Sinter Klaas (Indonesians call it "Sinterklas") with the Zwartepieet (Black Peter). During Christmas time children try their best to be good and obey their parents and teachers. Good kids will get presents from Sinterklas while bad ones will be punished by Black Peter :o)

| Back to Christmas Menu |                                              | Back to Holiday Land |

| Back to Our Home |