THE HISTORY OF SANTA CLAUS
According to Maymie R. Krythe, in her book All About Christmas, the name we know as Santa Claus has come to us through many forms: Good Saint Nick, Saint Nicholas, Santa Clause. In the Latin it was Sanctus Nicholaus, in German, Sankt Nikolous, in Dutch Sinter Klaas. Though much of the accretion is legendary there was a real St. Nicholas, the Christian bishop of the fourth century. According to Krythe, Nicholas was “the only child of wealthy Christian parents,” born about 280 A.D. in Patara, in the province of Lycia in Asia Minor. When his parents both died in a plague the boy was left with a good deal of wealth: Young Nicholas dedicated his life to God’s service and moved to Myra, chief city of his province. There, after the death of their bishop, members of the Council balloted unsuccessfully, for some time, trying to choose a successor. Finally, in a dream, the oldest official was told to…
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