How St. Nicholas became Santa Claus

How St. Nicholas became Santa Claus

Mrs. Gailit, M.S. CCC-SLP

Almost everyone has heard of Santa Claus as the deliverer of gifts on Christmas Eve from his sleigh. The magical story has captured the imaginations of people all over the world and evolved in many ways.

The legend of Santa Claus comes from the nation of Turkey in the Middle East in the third century. A man named Nicholas came from a wealthy family who lived in the town of Patara. He was raised to be generous and kind. After his parents died, he used all of his inheritance to help the poor, the sick, and others who were suffering. He was made a Bishop of Myra.

Multiple Choice

Where was St. Nicholas born?

• United States

• Russia

• Turkey

• Norway

He put so many church leaders in prison that there was barely any room for thieves or murderers. Nicholas was placed in prison, but released after Constantine became the Roman Emperor. In 325 Constantine called the first Council of Nicea. Many church leaders came together from all over for a meeting. Nicholas is listed on several attendance lists for the council, proving that he was a real person. He died on December 6, 343. After his death, legends began springing up about him.

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The Roman Emperor Diocletian hated Christians and did everything to stop them from practicing their faith.

Multiple Choice

Who was the Roman Emperor that put St. Nicholas in prison?

• Diocletian

• Caesar

• Tiberius

• Sirius

Multiple Choice

Why was Nicholas of Myra put in prison?

• He spoke out against Roman Emperor Diocletian

• He stole money from the rich and gave to the poor

• He became a Catholic

• The Roman Emperor Diocletian hated Christians

One of the legends of Nicholas involved three women. A father had to offer a dowry, a valuable gift, for each daughter to get married in those days. If he was unable to pay it, she would likely never marry. A poor man who lived near Nicholas had three daughters, but no money to give them dowries. If they did not marry, they may be forced into slavery.

​Dowry = Down Payment
A dowry was a payment made by the bride's family
to be inherited by the groom

Multiple Choice

The word is dowry, as in, "The father required a dowry for his daughter to get married."
Pick the best definition below for the word: dowry.

• Money for the father to spend on Christmas decorations

• Money for his daughter to spend on a wedding dress

• Money for his daughter to keep as her own

• Money for his daughter to be inherited by her groom

A bag of gold coins appeared in the older girl’s shoes that were drying by the fire one night. This became her dowry and she was able to marry well. The same thing happened later for each of the younger girls. Nicholas is credited as the giver of the coins.

Multiple Choice

How did Nicholas supposedly help the poor father?

• He game him money to buy his daughter's Christmas presents

• He left the girls money in their shoes for their dowry

• He game him money so he could build a new home

• He left the girls sweets in their shoes

Nicholas used his money and influence to feed the hungry and help others. He gave secretly, not expecting anything in return, making him a great man among his people. It is no surprise that Nicholas of Myra is linked with love, generosity, and giving gifts. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia and Greece, many cities, and of sailors and children.

Multiple Choice

Nicholas is the patron saint of this nation:

• Germany

• Holland

• Turkey

• Russia

Multiple Choice

Nicholas is the patron saint of which of the following?

• Reindeer

• Golden Coins

• Children

• Soldiers

St. Nicholas' legacy was kept alive in Holland as "Sinterklaas". St. Nicholas was thought to arrive on horseback on his feast day and said to deliver sweets and presents to good children and give lumps of coal, potatoes, or twigs to bad kids. This tradition was taken to New Amsterdam, now New York City, in the American colonies. There, he was transformed into Santa Claus by the English-speaking majority. His legend merged with Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. This resulted in the image of Santa Claus in the United States.

Multiple Choice

St. Nicholas' legacy was kept alive in Holland by this name:

• Jack Frost

• Santa Claus

• Sinterklaas

• The Grinch

Multiple Choice

Who did St. Nicholas evolve into when he was celebrated in America?

• Jack Frost

• Santa Claus

• Sinterklaas

• The Grinch

Multiple Choice

______ were given to children who were good.

• Spices

• Sweets

• Coal

• Potatoes

St. Nicholas Day honors the life of this generous man and his good works. It is held on December 6th each year. Families who celebrate St. Nicholas Day leave out shoes for St. Nicholas. They receive treats like candy, cookies, small toys, and fruit. Some churches hold special church services dedicated to the feast of St. Nicholas. Many consider St. Nicholas Day the “official” start of the Christmas season.

Multiple Choice

What is often set out on the eve of St. Nicholas Day?

• Shoes

• Socks

• Stockings

• Gift Boxes

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is true about St. Nicholas Day?

• Many consider it the "official" start of the holiday season

• Many consider it the "official" end of the holiday season

• It is held on December 24th each year

• Only people in Holland celebrate it