The ancient origins of santa claus ancient origins. Imaginative play, in which children know that santa claus is only a character in a story but pretend that he is real, just like they pretend that superheroes or other fictional characters are real, is widely believed to be valuable. Take the journey and discover the real story of santa claus. Story time just got better with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. The book vividly captures the heart and life of someone who lived long agoand yet whose life remains an inspiration for everyone to aspire to a higher order of generosity, giving, and devotion to others. Former professional athlete pastor paul stevens releases childrens. By about 1200, explained university of manitoba historian gerry bowler, author of santa claus. Nicholas rose to prominence among the saints because he was the patron of so many groups. I liked learning how other countries and cultures celebrate christmas or dont and what their santa clauses are each like. In fact, few people realize that there was a real saint nicholas. Through the medium of this brief story, children can be introduced to the true meaning of christmas. This book is about the woman who really does the work gee, like thats unusual, and her efforts to get santa off his chair, away from the tv, and back in the workshop.
English says the story isnt true, but his bones show that he had a broken nose. People around the world are celebrating christmas and perhaps enjoying a few gifts from santa claus. The real story of santa claus begins with saint nicholas 270 343 ad, who was born in the village of patara, an area which was once greek but is now part of turkey. In 1821, a book entitled sante clause in sleigh depicted st. The gifts santa claus delivers, gifts of hope and joy, bring the joy of giving to all the children of the world. What this story does best is present the truth a truth thats sometimes hard for parents to fess up to their children. How he came to be todays giftgiving jolly figure from. It was inspired by the real patch adams whom has been an active pen pal of mine for many years. Hopeville doesnt exist anymore, pines the narrator, for times long gone, but you can still park your car along the road and wander through trails and trees that were once the temporary home of santa claus.
There is a lot of interesting information in this book about the stories and traditions and folklore surrounding our current day santa claus. Santa was a shaman of the sami reindeer herders long before he delivered presents around the world. Nicholas, and how the story of the saint led to the modernday vision of santa claus. The story of santa claus by joseph a mccullough blends the two, treating the topic of santa seriously, being careful not to destroy any beliefs held by the young reader. The real man behind santa claus and the books that made him. Helps children focus on jesus as gods gift to us includes historical information on st. Nicholas and santa claus are historically the same man. A biography, he became known as a patron of children and magical gift bringer because of two great stories from his life.
So be good, for goodness sake if you live in the western world, you already know this line from santa claus is coming to town by harry connick jr. What are the origins of the modern day santa claus. Washington irvings 1809 book knickerbockers history of new york first. Though nicholas was a child of privilege, he was raised a christian and at a very young age was devoted to the faith. The book vividly captures the heart and life of someone who lived long agoand yet. Santa s image is almost universally recognisable as one of christianitys most enduring and popular legends, yet the seemingly timeless jolly old man with his bag of toys, steering his reindeer. The legend of santa claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named st. Kindhearted nick the true story of santa claus kindhearted nick is a childrens book by douglas twitchell, which is currently in process of being illustrated. Based on the true christmas story of the annual santa claus special train that brings santa claus to the poor towns of remote appalachia.
The true story of santa claus tells the story of a young child on christmas eve who is anxiously awaiting santas arrival. For most of us, young and old, santa claus is a jolly old man, looking exactly as he is described in the classic poem a visit from st. This is not just a happy happy fairy tale that one smiles all the way through, it is a larger view of good vs evil in the world. The kidnapping of claus by the awgwas is the basis of the oz kids video, who stole santa. The story of santa claus there once lived a wealthy and rich man name nicholas who lived in the north pole. The story of santa claus christmas stories for kids. What happens when a child asks if there is indeed a santa claus. From this real man came the fictional santa claus of christmas. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout christian, died in an epidemic while nicholas was still young.
Here are 9 books that tell the true story of santa. No other childrens book is as delightful in bringing to light santa s often hidden origin. This ya mini novel is about the true meaning of christmas and the spirit of giving. It is believed that nicholas was born sometime around 280 a. The story on the next page, yes, virginia, there is a santa claus, provides an answer. It tells the real story of saint nicholas and how he became santa claus. This christmas tell your children the real santa claus story. Nicholas enjoyed surprising people and he often did things. Discover the magical truth of the lapland santa claus. The man we know as santa claus has a history all his own.
In 1823, the popular poem we know today as the night before christmas was originally published as a visit from st. All americans are familiar with the icon of christmas. The tale includes christmas eve miracles, gifts, stockings, magic and snow, while being factual, historical and true to the story. Stevens said once he discovered the amazing true story behind santa claus he had to share it with everyone. The true story of santa claus by anissa pesce zucker. Paul prokop a child learns that santa claus is really saint nicholas, a bishop who lived long ago and taught people about jesus. Merry christmas at christian youth channel cyc isobuster you can always find us at. Now im going to tell you all a christmas story but before i do, i have a word of warning for all you adults in the room. True story of the lapland santa claus in new christmas book.
An adult version of dorothy gale tells the life story of santa based on the book to her children and her friends. A beautiful book giving the history of the real man who was st. A big, fat guy in a red suit with a fluffy white beard. The history of saint nicholas, illuminated with illustrations by. This delightful, fanciful book tells the true story of where santa came from, how he travels around the world in one night, how he fits all those toys into one bag, where the elves came from, how the reindeer are able to fly, and much, much more. This book is directed at those who are ready to learn the truth and is definitely not for those who are hanging on to the myth a little longer. But many dont realize saint nicholas was a real guy. Born nearly 2000 years ago, not too long after the days that jesus christ walked the earth, nicholas was born to wealthy parents in a tiny village in the country we today call turkey. Nicholas became santa claus as a christmas gift to their customers. Its a great in depth santa claus story, and the artwork in this book is amazing. This book weaves the real meaning of christmas into the story of st. The santa claus book by alden perkes 9781627301077. The book is a biography of bishop nicholas of myra, a man who lived north of the mediterranean.
Masterfully weaving past and present through story, lessons, and devotions, the gospel of santa claus follows the incredible story of saint nicholas. The book vividly captures the heart and life of someone who. How does this christmas giftbringer differ from santa claus. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century. The author has gathered tales and as the holidays draw near, the public or school library cant have enough christmas stories on the shelf. Nicholas as a man who arrived from the north with a sleigh and flying reindeer. This book was given to me when i was a kid, and i loved it.
The book s illustrations shifted the imagery away from a saintly bishop and marked santa claus appearance as december 25, not december 6. If you child appreciates books, give them this and they will want to keep it for years to come, because its really that special. Nicholas, or santa, is the special friend of children. Who is santa claus the true story behind a living legend by. Behind todays mythical santa claus from the north pole, is a real saint st. There is also a story within a story mom telling daughter the true story of santa claus.
Its such a beautiful book its one of my favorite christmas treasures. It happened one day when many of the elves got sick and mrs. Includes information about the evolution of the giftgiving santa claus. The author states how as a child he could not fathom that this gift giving myth was not real. Who is santa claus the true story behind a living legend. Yzermans to write this book on the true story of how st. This amazing 5 star short story is a unique version on the tale of santa claus. When he meets santa himself, he is given an unexpected gift santa claus own story. Buy the santa claus book by alden perkes 9781627301077 2014 from. The iconic version of santa claus as a jolly man in red with a white beard and a sack of toys was immortalized in 1881, when political cartoonist thomas nast drew on moores poem to create the. Stevens releases childrens book about the true story of santa claus. A tenyearold boy, who stopped believing in santa claus when he was nine, has an adventure that causes him to believe againthis time in the real santa, too. He was born to wealthy parents, who died in an epidemic while nicholas was still young. Washington irving wrote a book titled the history of new york, and in it, he called st.