From Saintly to Seasonal: The Origins & Evolution of Santa Claus

December 18, 2024

Literature

Nesha Ruther

Writer at Bond & Grace

Today, the imagery and lore surrounding the bearded man in the red suit who brings gifts come December is so concrete as to be unbreakable. Even in its most ridiculous and hilarious pop culture iterations, Santa’s story rarely changes. From Elf to Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer to 2022’s Violent Night, the tone, genre, and storyline may vary, but the essential tropes of Santa Claus never do.

But where does the story of Santa Claus come from, and how has it come to incorporate some of the most potent symbolism present in American culture? This holiday season, we’re getting festive with the real story of Saint Nick and how he came to dominate America’s holiday season.

The real story of Saint Nicholas begins not among the snowy dunes of the North Pole but in the deserts of Lycia, now modern-day Turkey. Nicholas was born in AD 280 to affluent Christian parents. He received an exemplary education, especially given the time period, and was taught Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. His parents died when he was nine, however, and he was put in the care of a group of local priests.

As Nick grew up, he became more and more aware of the poverty and hardship that surrounded him. It seemed unfair—and incongruous with his Christian upbringing—that he should have clothes, food, and comfort while others did not. His parents had left him a significant inheritance, and he began giving it away to the poor and ill.

In one particularly popular legend, Nicholas learned of a local man who was going to sell his three daughters into slavery or prostitution because he could not afford a dowry. Nicholas went to the family and paid the dowry for all three girls so they could get married.

As an adult, he became bishop of the ancient city of Myra and was imprisoned by the Roman emperor Diocletian, who felt threatened by Christianity’s increased popularity. Thankfully for Nicholas, he was released from prison under the rule of Constantin the Great. It is believed he attended the Council of Nicaea in 325, which was the first council of the Christian church. Nicholas added further material to his legend at the council when he slapped the heretic Arius in the face. Not so jolly after all!

Nicholas died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. After his death, legends grew up about his generosity and how he cared for the poor and sick. He became one of the most popular figures of the working class, with his feast day being celebrated on the anniversary of his death. He was canonized by pope Eugene in 1446, who named him the patron saint of sailors and children.

Over the centuries, Saint Nicholas became increasingly popular across Europe, and the anniversary of his death being so close to Christmas cemented the connection. Gifts would be given to symbolize his generosity to the poor, but it was a far cry from today’s extravagant commercial festivities.

As European immigrants came to the United States in the 18th century, they brought their culture and traditions with them. One of the first mentions of Santa Claus in the United States came in 1773 when Dutch immigrants to New York gathered to celebrate Saint Nicholas’ feast day. In Dutch, Saint Nicholas translates to Sinter Klaas.

In 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, displayed woodcuts of Santa Claus featuring the now-familiar imagery of full stockings and cozy fireplaces. In 1809, writer Washington Irving popularized the figure of Santa Claus by referring to him as the patron saint of New York in his book History of New York.

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While Santa Claus’ place as an iconic figure had been solidified, his physical descriptions still varied widely. He was said to wear a blue three-cornered hat, a red waistcoat, and yellow stockings. Another report claimed Santa wore a broad-rimmed hat and “an enormous pair of Flemish trunk hose.”

It wasn’t until 1822 that much of the lore we now associate with Santa was created. One day in December, an Episcopal Minister named Clement Clarke Moore wrote a Christmas poem for his daughters, which he called “An Account of a Visit From Saint Nicholas.” Today, Moore’s poem is more commonly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Moore’s poem imagined Santa Claus as a portly, jolly man, and was the first to describe him sliding down chimneys, delivering gifts, and traveling by reindeer-driven sleigh.

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In 1881, political cartoonist Thomas Nast—who achieved fame when he coined the donkey and elephant symbols for the Democratic and Republican parties—tried his hand at illustrating Moore’s popular poem. He gave Santa a red suit with a white fur trim, a North Pole workshop, elves as helpers, and a wife named Mrs. Claus. Nast’s illustration was published in Harper’s Weekly and became the first likeness of Santa Claus as we now know him.

While this imagery and its association with Santa Claus is beyond reproach in the United States, variations remain around the world. In Sweden and Germany, Chriskind and Chris Kringle deliver gifts to well-behaved children. In Scandinavia, a jolly elf named Jultomen travels via a goat-driven sleigh. In France, Pere Noel fills children’s shoes with gifts, and in Italy, a kindly witch named La Befana rides a broomstick and puts gifts in Christmas stockings.

Whatever your holiday traditions, Saint Nicholas’ legacy remains one of radical kindness and generosity. And while the imagery and lore has travelled a long way to our modern-day idea of Santa Claus, the spirit of goodwill has not.

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To Learn More Read…

Guinn, Jeff, The Autobiography of Santa Claus (Penguin Random House, 1994)

Longnecker, Dwight, “Whatever Happened to Saint Nicholas?” The Imaginitive Conservative, December 5 2024.

“Santa Claus,” History.com, November 28 2023.

“The Legend of Santa Claus: Part 1. The Origin and History of a Christmas Legend,” St. Tammy Parish Library, December 10, 2020.