The Truth

1
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The Truth About Santa
2
Origins

• The Santa figure has origins in Turkish, German,
  Dutch, British, and American cultures.

3
Santa in Germany
Germany
(Wodin)
Odin
German/ Norse
13 c. BC
Germany
20 December
Nordic
31 December
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Odin

• Snorri Sturluson first wrote about Odin
• in Prose Edda 13c. BC
• Tall, old man with white beard and cloak
• Rode through air on 8-legged horse, Sleipnir
  could see everything that happened in the world
  from throne
• Dec. 20-31 Jultid Odin visits Earth to give
  gifts to the good and punishments to the bad

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Santa in Turkey
Myra
Turkey
Saint
Nicholas
Turkish
3 c. AD
Patara
6 December
Turk
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Saint Nicholas

• Nicholas was raised a devout Christian
• His parents died while he was young
• Used his inheritance to help support the needy,
  sick, and suffering
• Dedicated life to serving God
• Made bishop of Myra
• Known for generosity, care of children,
• and concern for ships and sailors

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Santa in the Netherlands
Netherlands
Klaas
Sinter
Dutch
3 c AD
Netherlands
5 December
Spanish
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Sinterklaas

• Benevolent old man
• Feast day is Dec.5th exchange gifts
• and making good-natured fun
• Spends year in Spain recording behavior of
  children in a big red book
• Helper Black Peter stocks up on gifts for next
  Dec. 5th
• Travels with Peter and horse by steamship to
  Netherlands
• Arrive in a town, greeted by mayor, and parade
  through town

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Santa in Britain
United Kingdom
Father
Christmas
British
17 c. AD
England
U.K.
25 December
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Father Christmas

• British mid-winter festivals wore a
• long, green hooded cloak holly wreath
• Associated with Father Time, King Winter people
  invited him in fed him pies and whisky so he
  would bring a mild winter
• Pagan associations banned by Puritans (gluttony)
  still exists as Ghost of Christmas Present in
  original version of A Christmas Carol

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Santa in America
United States
Claus
Santa
American
New York
25 December
North Pole
12
Santa Claus

• History of New York by Washington
• Irving in 1809 debut in literature
• The Night Before Christmas (A Visit from Saint
  Nicholas) by Clement C. Moore in 1822
• Thomas Nast captured Santas first image in
  Harpers Weekly in 1863
• Coca-Cola popularized red and white as Santas
  colors through ad campaign
• Salvation army promoted Santas charitable image
  through drives to aid needy families
• Some images depicted Santa in a workshop like a
  craftsman idea of elves emerged

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Now the Truth

• Santa is a legendary figure.
• Legends are stories about the past which are
  based on some historical facts and focus on human
  heroes
• Different cultures may associate different
  characteristics to the same legend

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Do You Remember?

• Santas identity in Germany?
• Odin
• Santa in Turkey?
• Saint Nicholas
• Santa in the Netherlands?
• Sinterklass
• Santa in Great Britain?
• Father Christmas
• Well Done!