I Still Believe in Santa Claus
No, I do not think a jolly guy in a red suit comes down my chimney or that Rudolph is hanging out on my roof, but…the concept of Santa Claus is what I believe in and celebrate.
I was seven years old when I found out the truth. I lived with my parents in a two- bedroom, one bath apartment, in Queens, New York. The layout of the apartment gave me a direct view from my bedroom into the living room where the Christmas tree was. We did not have a fireplace, but Santa compensated for this by using the fire escape. (My mother is highly creative).
That year, I decided to outsmart Santa and refused to go to sleep. Late in the evening, I spotted a shadowy figure by the tree, was it him??? No. It was Mom placing the gifts under the tree as quietly as she could, and Dad was eating the cookies I had left for Santa. I did not process all I was seeing that night, but days later I asked my parents about Santa, and they told me the truth.
I see Santa every day in the people and organizations doing charitable deeds, caregiving for loved ones, being role models, and making dreams a reality. This is why I still believe in Santa Claus. To all the Santas’ out there, thank you and Merry Christmas!
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I was curious about the history of Santa Claus and did a little research. Here is what I found,
The modern-day image of Santa Claus has evolved over centuries, drawing from various cultural and historical influences.
Saint Nicholas:
Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century in Myra, which is present-day Turkey. He was known for his acts of generosity and kindness, especially toward children and the less fortunate. One well-known story about Saint Nicholas tells of him secretly providing dowries for three poor sisters to save them from a life of destitution.
Dutch Sinterklaas:
In the 17th century, Dutch settlers brought the tradition of Sinterklaas to New Amsterdam, which later became New York City. Sinterklaas was based on the figure of Saint Nicholas and celebrated with gift-giving on December 6th.
Evolution in America:
In the early 19th century, the image of Santa Claus continued to evolve in the United States. The popularization of Santa Claus in the United States is attributed to the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas." This poem, attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, contributed to shaping the modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly, plump man with a white beard, flying reindeer, and a sleigh.
Coca-Cola Influence:
The modern visual representation of Santa Claus as a rotund, jolly figure wearing a red suit with white fur trim was popularized in the 1930s by Coca-Cola. The company's marketing campaigns, featuring illustrations by Haddon Sundblom, helped solidify this image in popular culture.
While Santa Claus has roots in Christian traditions and European folklore, his current depiction is a blend of various cultural influences that have evolved over time. Today, Santa Claus is a central figure in the celebration of Christmas in many parts of the world, representing the spirit of giving and goodwill.