Searcy, AR (LP) — The Christmas season is officially upon us and kids have launched into their annual holiday interrogation: What’s a sugarplum? Do the elves make Nintendo Switches? Why does Timmy get more toys? And then there’s the inevitable question, which is also the hardest: Is Santa Claus real?
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.
The origins of the modern-day Santa Claus can be traced back to Saint Nicholas, pictured here in this sixteenth century sculpture. Courtesy of HistoryChannel.com
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.
Gift-giving, mainly centered around children, has been an important part of the Christmas celebration since the holiday’s rejuvenation in the early 19th century. Stores began to advertise Christmas shopping in 1820, and by the 1840s, newspapers were creating separate sections for holiday advertisements, which often featured images of the newly-popular Santa Claus.
In the United States, Santa Claus is often depicted as flying from home to home on Christmas Eve to deliver toys to children.
Hunter Hennings, who attends TLC states, “My favorite Christmas gift from Santa was my Star Wars lightsaber. It was on my list.”
Santa Claus has been popularized through television, movies and children’s story books. While some dislike the idea of gift-giving at Christmas, believing that the lavish celebrations are not in line with their faith, or that Santa has become a symbol of materialism, others believe that it continues to honor the life and deeds of Nicholas, an individual beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.
Hennings states, “I’ve talked to Santa Claus before. He makes me feel happy and makes Christmas my favorite holiday, even if I don’t get every single thing I asked for.”
Hunter Hennings (Left) and his brother (Right) with Santa on Christmas Day, 2018.
As a parent, it can be hard when deciding how to tell your children about Santa.
Psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Justin Coulson thinks that parents are overcomplicating the whole thing, “Tell your kid the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” says Coulson.
April Butler, English teacher at Searcy High School and mother states, “My children are older today, and they say their best memories of Christmas are when Santa came and left something they had asked for, and when they put out cookies and milk for Santa. I never felt I was lying to them because of the spirit of giving I felt Santa represented.”
Christmas is going to be exciting and fun and enjoyable whether kids know the truth about Santa or not. In the same way that I can watch a movie that I know is complete fiction and still find the movie tremendously enthralling, our children can know the truth about Santa and still find Christmas every bit as exciting.
Butler states, “As an adult, Santa is the spirit of giving. He is not an actual person, but the idea of ‘to give is better than to receive.’ I love trying to get others a meaningful gift, and watching their reaction as they open it. It brings me so much happiness, and that is the spirit of Santa and Christmas.”
