by Wendell Cayton

We are struggling with a bit of a crisis coming into Christmas. Against the resolute forces of skilled spin masters, we are doing battle to preserve something important—the recognition that Santa is real!

My earliest childhood memories focus on Santa Claus; my first memorized poem was “The Night Before Christmas.” Santa has been a part of my life all these years, and I want to preserve him for my daughter. But as any parent can tell you, the forces against innocence and the goodness of Santa are difficult to combat.

Last night, I went Christmas shopping. Amid the lights, snow and carols, we discussed Santa’s existence. She is unsure on the subject, having been informed by the neighborhood intelligentsia that he is not real. I told her I’d check him out on the Internet and report back.

I found that Santa Claus is one of the world’s most widely recognized symbols. Almost every industrial culture has a version of him, and his existence can be traced to ancient times. Where he came from depends on whom you ask.

The idea of seasonal gift giving was first recorded in ancient times among people whose beliefs were based in nature. The ancient Norse, for example, embraced Winter, humanized as a being who might intercede on their behalf for the milder season. At the close of the harsh weather, the entire community shared their remaining food and supplies in a glorious feast to honor the benevolent Winter Spirit.

“Sinter Klaas” came to America with the Dutch in the 1600s and was immortalized in 1823 by Dr. Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (now generally known as “The Night Before Christmas”).

Germany’s Kris Kringle and Italy’s La Befana, traditionally the benevolent bearers of gifts to children, were assimilated into Moore’s version of Santa, and before long he was visiting homes worldwide on Christmas Eve, delivering presents to worthy children.

Great Britain’s Father Christmas is a hybrid of the Spirit of Christmas and the vision of Santa Claus created by Moore.

St. Nicholas, AKA St. Nick, was actually a bishop who lived in the Asia Minor city of Myra around 300 AD. He was known for his generosity (he supplied three bags of gold as a dowry for three poor girls) and his love of children (one of his miracles was raising some murdered children from the dead).

The most contemporary version of Santa known by the world today was solidified in the 1930s through an intensive ad campaign by the Coca Cola Company, who used Norman Rockwell portraits of a jolly, weight-challenged, red-clad Santa Claus.

Wherever he came from or wherever he lives, he is a being who inspires us to believe in the concept of a benevolent, kind advocate for children and humanity. Throughout Santa Claus’s many evolutions, he remains the keeper of hope for a kinder, less selfish world.

He is protested by some and promoted by others as the epitome of rampant commercialism and voracious consumerism. Nevertheless, Santa continues to inspire our hearts as a symbol of the real nature of giving—that the greatest gift of all is not wrapped in bright paper, but is the act of giving itself.

Putting my parent hat back on, I emphasized to my daughter that Santa does keep track of those who have been “bad or good . . . so be good for goodness’ sake.”

From one Santa believer to another, may you have a Happy Holiday and a great New Year!