thesantaclausblog.com

Just about everyone in the world knows that jolly toy-bearing Christmas figure from the North Pole, but how much do we really know about him? The character we all love so much was actually created by mixing together several ingredients including the memory of an important Christian saint, the practices of North European Shamans, and the marketing wits of an all-American mega brand. Here are a few quick trivia questions about our beloved Santa. Read the rest of this entry »

He is the real spirit of generosity and love.  For all the world, he is Santa Claus.
The jolly old fat man with gifts for all good little girls and boys.

But was he always “A Jolly Old Elf”?

Not really.  In the land now known as Turkey, Bishop Nicholas, was known for using his
wealth to buy people out of slavery.  Many children were freed from lives of drudgery
thanks to his generous ways. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re anything like I was as a child, discovering the true identity of Santa Claus was upsetting. I’ll never forget when my mother asked me to get something from her room and finding wrapped gifts adressed to me from Santa. Right there I knew that either Santa had a new business model and was delivering gifts early, or he simply wasn’t who I thought he was.There is just no reason to let the mystery of Santa Claus fade for the children. Therefore, we’ve worked up a guide on how to pull off the Santa effect so well your children will secretly wonder in their adult years whether the man in red actually came to visit that special Christmas day. Read the rest of this entry »

Just about everyone in the world knows that jolly toy-bearing Christmas figure from the North Pole, but how much do we really know about him? The character we all love so much was actually created by mixing together several ingredients including the memory of an important Christian saint, the practices of North European Shamans, and the marketing wits of an all-American mega brand. Here are a few quick trivia questions about our beloved Santa.

Q: Where does the name Santa Claus come from? Read the rest of this entry »

Do you believe Santa Clause exists? Does he exist in our hearts? Does he exist in the flesh? If you have answered these questions read on.

I believe there is a Santa clause and that Santa clause is you. Every person on this earth can be come Santa Clause. It does not take a red suit, and whiskers to make a Santa clause.

What make’s a Santa clause is you. All you do is open your heart to the people around you. It does not even have to take money. Read the rest of this entry »

“First it was butter then it was sugar and white flour, bacon, eggs, balogna, rock ‘n roll, motorcycles. Then! It was celebrating Christmas on a day in September when you knew it wouldn’t be commercialized! What else are you gonna ban?”

If you’ve ever seen Almost Famous, you’ll easily remember that line. Although, the depiction of the over-protective mom for her rebellious teenage daughter doesn’t quite mimic what I’m talking about here, it has shades of the same restrictive nature that political correctness can tend to have on culture and tradition these days.
And now, they’re trying to get Santa Claus! Read the rest of this entry »

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St.Nicholas soon would be there”…

The more we read it the more we love the lines. Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas is a worldwide phenomenon, and so is the holiday’s number one fan and symbol, Santa Claus. So it makes sense that because people all over the world celebrate Christmas differently, they also see Santa in different ways and have different traditions.

For instance, in France Christmas goes by the term Noel, and Santa goes by the name Pere Noel. Like the United States, the French who celebrate the holiday do so with a Christmas tree. Sometimes, the French decorate their trees in the traditional, which is with bright red ribbons and real candles, instead of the garland, electric lights, and fancy decorations used in the US. They also believe in decorating outside, especially the evergreen trees on their properties, which they cover with lights that they leave on all night long. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the greatest highlights of Christmas is Santa Claus whose legend turned him into a magical kind-hearted, noble, and generous “good fairy Godfather” today!

Santa was originally a Bishop who after his death became the legendary Saint Nicholas. Here is something that you may be surprised to know.  He was Greek and Greek speaking!  He is believed to have been born around 280 AD in Patara near Myra.  Originally Saint Nicholas was the Christian Bishop of Myra (today known as Turkey).  Back in those days Myra was predominantly populated with Greeks.  The Turks didn’t arrive until the 11th century AD.  This Bishop was a generous and kind-hearted man, devoted particularly to children.  In 340AD after his death in Myra it is said that sailors stole his remains and took them to Bari, Italy where he remains today in the beautiful Basilica of Saint Nicholas specially built to house him.  Medieval people believed relics of Saints had healing powers and every church had a store of them.  The sailors increased his popularity in Europe with stories of his kindness and generosity which lead to increased devotion with stories of miracles. Read the rest of this entry »

In Florida a white Christmas means a sand storm, white waves crashing on shore, a sunlit beach, or a total “whiteout” of rain. Yes it does happen.

Last year at Christmas time, I was swimming with my grandsons who were five and seven years old. The next door neighbors little girl had come over for a swim. The kids were in the hot pool above the big pool. The parents of Sally are Christian. Her father is a Christian Minister. Read the rest of this entry »