St. Nick and Santa Claus

There is some confusion between St. Nick and Santa Claus: are they one person or two different persons? Some say yes, others no, and the rest, maybe. Let’s explore it for a moment. Saint Nicholas was born as a baby a long, long time ago and when he was older, he inherited money. Rather than spend it on himself, he decided to help others which he did and that made him famous.

Stories about St. Nick grew and spread all over, especially in Europe and later in the United States, century after century. In 1823, Clement Moore wrote a poem, A Visit from Saint Nicholas and an artist Thomas Nash depicted St. Nick as a portly, joyous, white-bearded man—sometimes with spectacles wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots and carries a bag full of gifts for children.

Before long, St. Nick became known also as Santa Claus. But Santa Claus was not born as a baby but created by a poet and an artist as a full grown, portly, bearded man. Even today, people identify St. Nick as Santa Claus and Santa Claus as St Nick.

Because Saint Nicholas gave money and gifts to the needy which probably included children, he was a good example for Santa Claus who flew his sleigh over housetops, slipped down chimneys and left goodies, especially for children. There were some differences between Santa Claus and St. Nick. Santa was concerned if the children were naughty or nice and who deserved a gift while St. Nicholas apparently gave gifts to those who really needed one. Further, St. Nick probably didn’t have a flying sleigh or eight reindeer or helpers and at times was scolded for giving his money to the poor.

Now when little ones cozy up to seniors like grandma and grandpa, and ask them about St. Nick and Santa Claus, and they don’t know what to say, you can give them a copy of this story. Meanwhile, when you and your little ones go looking for St. Nick, be sure to look for a jolly ol’ senior dressed like above, and be sure he is jolly and generous. But if he asks if anyone has been naughty, be sure to tell the truth because he just might have a gift even for someone who has been a little naughty because I think St. Nick would, don’t you?