Christmas Legends

Santa Claus

Many stories are being told in regards of the legend of Santa Claus. One of the stories tells about a young pastor named Nicholas. He acquired a fortune when his parents died when he was still in his teens. He loved the Lord and also cared deeply for the poor. 

He brought gifts, money and other useful items to the houses of the poor. He did this at night, and in secrecy, as not to draw attention to himself, as he wanted no glory.

Santa's

The chubby man with the white beard, red suit trimmed with fur, and his "Ho, Ho, Ho", must be one of the most well known character in the world.

The image of Santa Claus, or likewise characters became popular in North America in the 19th century and was adopted through the years in other countries around the world.  The original Santa's image was created by a political cartoonist and illustrator by the name of Thomas Nast. Other countries changed the icon somewhat to suit their own customs and culture. 

In German speaking countries in Europe, he is known as Saint Nikolaus, in France, Père Noël. He represents a kind old gentleman with white beard and red suit with trimmed fur. He travels throughout the country side on Christmas Eve to deliver present for the children and grown ups.  Père Noël in France has some competition with Aunt Airie, a fairy tale who wears a cape and travels on a donkey, and also gives gifs on Christmas Eve.

Scandinavia has a superstition, it is widely believed that little, tiny magical figures called "Nisse", live in cellars and attics in every household. These magical figures are suppose to bring good luck. Now, with the growing popularity of Santa and other gift-bringers, they decided to outfit the nisse with a red suit and gave them a white beard and called them "Julenisse" and made them Santa's Helpers. In Norway and Denmark the Julenisse goes from door to door on Christmas Eve and bring presents. In Sweden, a similar magical gnome named "Jultomten" brings the gifts each Christmas Eve.

And there is La Befana, (which means "Epiphany", in Italian). An old Palestinian woman who was too busy seeing Baby Jesus, because of to much housework, when ask by the three Wise Men, and when she changed her mind it was to late. In Italy, on her search for Baby Jesus, on January 5th, she visits homes and leaves gifts. 

In relation to the legend of La Befana, "Babushka", who was a witch-like old woman who gave La Befana wrong directions when she was trying to catch up with the tree Wise Men. Babushka was condemned to roam around Russia on Epiphany Eve giving presents to all good children. Babushka was very popular by the Russian people until the Communist Revolution, she was outlawed because of her religious association.