Santa Claus: The Good Neighbor

The legend of Santa Claus is a little mysterious. His larger than life persona has definitely made history. It's kind of strange to think of Santa as an actual real man who lived years ago. However, he was a real person! You could even say that Santa was a good neighbor. He looked out for the needs of those around him and he made it a goal to serve others. He gave his life to bless others! The HISTORY channel shines some holiday light on the very first Santa Claus.

The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. One of the best-known St. Nicholas stories is the time he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so that they could be married. Over the course of many years, Nicholas’s popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married. By the Renaissance, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe. Even after the Protestant Reformation, when the veneration of saints began to be discouraged, St. Nicholas maintained a positive reputation, especially in Holland.

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From all of us at Extreme Community Makeover, Merry Christmas!