Please keep this thread for the real St Nicholas and not the American Santa.. There will be another thread named "American Evolution of Santa" for the manipulating figure Santa, so you can post in which your contribution is related.
1. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. His wealthy parents, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.
2. In AD 300 while still a young man, he was ordained Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, the city now known as Demre, Turkey. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need. He loved children and often went out at night disguised in a hooded cloak, to leave necessary gifts of money, clothing or food at the windows of unfortunate families. Nicholas worked for justice and cared for those in need. He was in AD 325 in Council of Nicaea and he is more remembered for his defense against the Arian heresy and So called him as the Defender of Orthodoxy..
3. He died on 6 December 343 in Myra so that why St. Nicholass Feast is on December 6.
4. In 1087, Italian sailors took the bones of St. Nicholas to Bari, Italy. They have build a church in his name and to hold his relics. That why he is called Saint in Bari. This "translation of the relics" is commemorated in Bari with a fantastic festival each year on May 9th. But his great work was done in Myra.
5. Since the fifth century the Eastern Church has revered St. Nicholas for the many miracles attributed to him and for that he is known as the "WoWonder-workerconsidered him as WoWonder workerI>.
6. In 987AD Nicholas became Patron Saint of Russia With St. AnAndrew the Apostle following of the baptism in Constantinople of Grand Prince Vladimir I. Nicholas is Russia's favorite saint.
7. Beside Russia, he is also patron of Greece, many cities in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Belgium; Campen in the Netherlands; Corfu in Greece; Freiburg in Switzerland; and Moscow in Russia. He is also patron of mariners, merchants, bakers, travellers, children, etc.
8. In 850AD The Clergy of Cologne Cathedral were commemorating the death of the saint by giving fruit and cookies to the boys of the cathedral school, on the 6th December.
9. In 1100s: French nuns began giving candy and gifts to needy children on December 6th, St. Nicholas feast day. Children still eagerly await his treats in French Alsace and Lorraine and in many other parts of Europe. Still Gift Giver in Europe, helps bring treats to excited and happy children.
10. Due to modern association with Christmas, Saint Nicholas is a patron saint of Christmas.
11. St. Nicholas' feast day, December 6th that widely celebrated in Europe, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Birth. In recent years, Christmas (along with Santa Claus) has been pushed by shopkeepers as another present-giving festival, with some success, although, especially for young children, Saint Nicholas' eve is still much more important than Christmas.
References:
- Saint Nicholas: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas
- St. Nicholas of Myra - Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11063b.htm
- Catholic Online Saints http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=371
- Was St. Nicholas A Real Person? http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=37
- Is St. Nicholas Still a Real Saint? http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=234
- Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus [ http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=35 ]
