Is there really a Santa Claus? Any parent who hasn't been faced with this question most likely will at some point. But how do you answer this? No one wants to crush a child's dreams of Santa and holiday magic.Some kids, like me, are crushed at school when they hear from a classmate that they found all their presents under their parents' bed, thus, proving there really is no Santa. Then, reasoning sets in, which is about
time they begin to wonder why they have been told this fairy tale all this time as it was truth.
So, is there truly a Santa Claus? Well, if you are in this position you will probably be glad to hear that only true answer to this question is...yes, absolutely.
The name "Santa Claus" came from Dutch "Sinter Klass" pronunciation of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a Christian priest, who later became a bishop. He was a wealthy person, and traveled country helping others, giving gifts of money and other presents. St. Nicholas chose to remain hidden while giving these gifts, so children were told to go to sleep quickly or he would not come!
One famous story is about a poor man who had no money to give to his three daughters on their wedding day. St. Nicholas dropped bags of gold into stockings which girls had left to dry by fire. Ever since, children have hung up stockings on Christmas Eve hoping that they will be filled with gifts by Christmas morning.
According to Catholics, a saint is one who lived such a holy life that, after dying and going to heaven, is still able to help people on earth.
In 1500's people in England stopped worshipping St. Nicholas and favored another gift giving figure Father Christmas.
