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Santa Claus Faqs
| Who is Santa
Claus?
Santa Claus has different names in different languages, but they all refer to the person of St. Nicholas who was born in the 4th century 245 AD, and died c350 AD, St. Nicholas performed a number of miracles, all associated with gift giving. His feast day was December 6. As a Christian Saint, he attempted to live by the values that were taught by the Christian faith. He is, mainly remembered for voluntarily helping others in need. In 1823, Clement C. Moore wrote "A Visit from St. Nicholas', which showed Santa Claus driving a sleight drawn by "eight tiny reindeer" . Gifts: St. Nicholas (gift giver) and the
Magi (the three wise men/Persian Priests from Orient bringing
gifts for Jesus) and from pagan (Roman) Saturnalia custom.
As time passed Santa would often snack on a decoration. People noticed decorations that had been snacked on and so began leaving them out on plates by the fire -- partially to keep them close to Santa's entrance. . Eventually fewer and fewer people decorated the tree with food but wanted to keep up the tradition of leaving something for Santa Claus. What is a legend of St. Nicholas? A nobleman who lived with his three daughters had fallen on hard times. The daughters had no chance of marriage, since their father could not pay their dowries. One night, St. Nicholas threw a sack of gold through a window of the nobleman's shabby castle, which was enough for one daughter's marriage. The next night, he tossed another sack of gold through the window for the second daughter. But on the third night, the window was closed. So, St. Nicholas climbed onto the roof and dropped the sack down the chimney. The next morning, the daughters found the gold in the stockings they had hung to dry by the fireplace. Hence leaving the stockings out for Santa Claus. What is Mrs. Claus' first name? Mrs. Claus' full name is Jessica Mary Claus. Her mother picked her middle name after the mother of Jesus. What Books have been written about Santa Claus? In 1823, Clement C. Moore wrote "A
Visit from St. Nicholas', which showed Santa Claus driving
a sleight drawn by "eight tiny reindeer." Who is Thomas Nast? Thomas Nast was the first artist to draw Santa Claus as a fat, jolly, white-whiskered old man. He was born September 27, 1840 in Landau, Baden, Germany and died December 7, 1902 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He was an American cartoonist after arriving in the United States at the age of six. He was a political cartoonist who happened to create one of the most popular images of Santa Claus. He is also noted for popularizing the Democratic party's donkey. Why do you give gifts at Christmas? The Magi gave gifts to Jesus, and the Romans gave gifts during their holiday that coincided with this period. Various days are used: December 6th - in memory of St. Nicholas December 24th - Christmas Eve December 25th - Christmas day, the birth of Jesus January 1st - New Year's Day January 6th - Christmas day for some churches, the Magi/three wise men What is Mistletoe? Mistletoe is used as part of the Christmas celebration. Symbolizes peace, kisses. Sacred symbol of ancient Druids and symbol of eternal life. One tradition has it that if you catch someone under the mistletoe you may kiss them (perhaps from Roman custom). What is garland? Garland is a chain of leaves, flowers, or foliage often used to decorate homes at Christmas time. There have been many other uses throughout history. What is a wreath? A wreath is essentially a garland that is joined at both ends. There are several styles used at different occasions. Since the 19th century it is generally made of evergreens, holly, with pinecones and nuts. They are hung as decorations, for example on a door In Tudor England and during medieval times a wreath of rosemary and bay was served over a boar. The advent wreath has four candles and is a Christian symbol of the four Sundays preceding Christmas. A Christmas wreath is more decorative and is generally made of holly leaves and berries and is a custom of many countries including particularly those listed above. What is a Christmas Tree? Evergreen trees and shrubbery an ancient custom dating back to the Chinese, Hebrews, and Egyptians. Tree decoration became part of Christian tradition initially as part of the New Year celebration in order to scare the devil away. The modern Christmas tree tradition came from western Germany, from a medieval custom, as a paradise tree -- a tree decorated with apples, wafers (or cookies), and candles representing the Garden of Eden, the host, and Christ. By the 19th century it had become a deep-rooted German tradition. European countries such as Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Poland imported the German tradition. Queen Victoria's husband, German Prince Albert popularized the tradition in England after it had been introduced earlier in the 19th century. German and English settlers to North America brought the tradition there and missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries spread the tradition to China, Japan, and other parts of Asia. Who is Charles Dickens? Dickens is one of the greatest English novelists. He was born February 7, 1812 (Charles John Huffman Dickens) in Portsmouth, Hampshire. In 1843 he wrote A Christmas Carol, creating a Christmas myth.
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Why don't you come every day of the year? Well, for a couple of reasons. First, we (Santa and the Reindeer) come on Christmas eve to celebrate Christmas -- the birthday of Jesus. Second, it takes a whole year to get everything ready for just one very special night for all the good children around the world. Third, only having Christmas once each year makes it very special. Do you have a red-nosed reindeer? Oh yes, Rudolph has a red nose and is often the leader of the team. Is there a real Rudolph? Yes, Rudolph is one of our favourite reindeer since he is so helpful when there is fog or other inclimate weather on Christmas Eve. How many kids do you deliver to? We delivery to millions and millions of good children around the world who believe in Santa Claus -- the number changes every year because there are always children being born.
Why is Rudolph's nose so bright? His nose is so bright because he was touched by Christmas magic which made his nose so red and shiny.
Why doesn't Santa always bring me what I asked for? Thanks to the elves and your gift lists, Santa usually knows what presents you would like to receive. However, sometimes Santa also knows that your parents, family, or guardians have other special things in mind. Also, Santa does not like to bring gifts that he knows your parents etc. would prefer you not to have -- such as a horse, or a space shuttle, or other gifts that would not be appropriate. What are the names of Santa's reindeer? The reindeer that pull the sleigh are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (or Donner, he likes both since some of the small reindeer have trouble saying 'Donder'), Blitzen, and of course -- Rudolph. There are many other reindeer who live at the North Pole but there is not room to list them all. How do the reindeer fly? A long time ago Santa and his helpers discovered magical oats and corn-- when the reindeer eat the oats and corn the deer become able to fly and leap high into the air. What does Santa do when a house does not have a chimney or there is a fire burning in the fire place? Santa likes to keep a few things secret so he can always surprise the kids he is visiting -- all he will say to this question is that he uses a little Christmas magic but he *always* finds a way! Does Rudolph always lead the sleigh? Rudolph is almost always the lead reindeer thanks to his wonderful bright nose! What is Christmas? The word itself comes from the Old English, "Cristes maesse" which means "Christ's mass" on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is now both a religious and secular holiday. Romans celebrated this festival in AD 336 which coincided with a pagan Roman festival coinciding with the Winter Solstice. It is often celebrated December 25, but a few churches celebrate it January 6th. It is traditionally a celebration of family and children. English: Christmas, Yule, Noel German: Weihnachten Finnish: Joulu Swedish: Jul Italian: Il Natale Spanish: La Natividad French: Noel Christmas -- traditionally has been celebrated during a prolonged period from December 24 to January 6th. What is Christmas Day? Derived from the traditional birthday of Jesus. Near the shortest day of the year (the Winter Solstice) an important pagan and solar feasting period in Europe. Fixed by the church near the old Roman Saturnalia festival (December 17-21). The first mention of the birthday is from the year 354. Gradually most Christian churches adopted this day, except Armenians who celebrate 6th January which date for other Churches is the baptismal day of Jesus and the day of the three Magi). Some reports suggest that December 25th was accepted in order to help co-opt the pagan celebrations. What is a "Carol"? A song, generally of religious joy. The earliest known Christmas songs date from the 4th century; "Jesus refulsit omnium by St. Hilary of Poitiers" is the oldest. Songs were created in the Catholic Church and many other places. Early songs were religious and in latin. Music by Handel and Mendelssohn was adapted and used as Christmas carols. The most famous of all, Silent Night (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) was written by the Austrian parish priest Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Gruber, church organist, in 1818. Why a Star? The astronomical/astrological phenomenon that triggered the journey of the Magi to find and give presents to the Christ child, Jesus. Perhaps a supernova, a conjunction of planets, or a miracle which occurred around 7 BC, the most probably birth year of Christ. Often placed at the top of the Christmas tree. What is Advent? It is a period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30th - St. Andrew's Day - and is the beginning of the church year. Popular traditions are Advent Candles and Advent Calendars (often colorful children's calendars with a door for each day in December). Advent is from the Latin "adventus" meaning "coming," as in the coming of Christ's birthday.
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