WE all know who Santa Claus is, good ol’ Saint Nick. The red one, the big holy jolly, or Kris Kringle. The man is single-handedly responsible for 20% of all cookies consumed each year (may or may not be made up).  In all seriousness, Santa Claus is Him. (image 1)

Santa Claus is responsible for giving children hundreds of millions of gifts… sometimes coal too. The real question, though, is where did Santa Claus come from?

It all starts with a man born around A.D 280 known as St. Nicholas. He was a Monk notable for his kindness and generosity to those around him. As a result, dozens of legends sparked about him and his good deeds. Some popular legends include him saving three sisters from being sold off by their father into slavery, or giving away almost all of his wealth to help the poor and sick prosper. Over the years, as his popularity spread, his status as a virtuous figure solidified. Some cultures celebrate his death, December 6, as a day of luck, and it’s believed to be an ideal day for making large purchases or getting married. His introduction to the United States began with a New York newspaper reporting on Dutch families honoring his death. Eventually, as his popularity in the US grew from countless stories and legends, he became what we know him as today: a jolly man in a red suit who flies out on Christmas Eve with his reindeer to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls around the world.

Globally, over two billion people celebrate Christmas, and roughly half of all children and 20-30% of adults believe in Santa. No matter where you are on this earth, WE can all get along during the holly jolly holiday. Consider being a St. Nick to someone this season. Go the extra mile to help someone in need.