He is called "Father Christmas" in Great Britain, "Weichnatsmann" in Germany, "Sinterklaas" in the Netherlands, "Joulupukki" in Finland and "Santa Claus" in the USA. No matter what we call him today, he is believed to have his historical roots in the person of Saint Nicholas, the bishop of Myra, whose legend still lives on today. Even though there are no historical facts to back up most of the legends about Saint Nicholas, there is some historical proof that the bishop of Myra, Nicholas, really existed in the fourth century AD.

According to most historical sources Saint Nicholas was born about 1700 years ago in present-day Turkey. This only child of a wealthy family became an orphan at an early age and was sent to a monastery, from where he left after becoming a priest

Many legends began to develop and stories of Saint Nicolas' good deeds were told in many countries. A good example of a legend associated with Saint Nicholas is the story of the golden coins. A father of three girls did not have the money to pay for his daughters' dowries that they needed in order to marry. After hearing this, Saint Nicholas went to their house on the two following nights and climbed in through the window and left gold coins for two of the daughters. On third night the window was closed, so Saint Nicholas had to climb onto the roof and drop the coins through the chimney. The coins landed on the stockings that the girls had left to dry by the fireplace mantle, and from this comes the habit of hanging one's stockings on the fireplace mantle on Christmas Eve. These stories were told mainly by seamen whose protector he remains to this day. The good bishop was declared a saint after his death and that day, December 6th, still marks the day of Saint Nicholas in many countries.

Like Saint Nicholas, people started to give presents in his memory. For example in the Netherlands, children get to open their presents as early as December 6th. The tradition of Saint Nicholas is particularly strong in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and eastern France.

It was the new Protestants who since wanted to change the date to December 25th, as the tradition is in most countries today. The English name "Santa Claus" originally comes from the mispronunciation of the Dutch word "Sinterklaas". His appearance, that of a jolly old elf with twinkling eyes, a broad face and a little round belly, carrying a bundle of toys, was first presented by Dr. Clement Clark Moore in 1822 in a poem that became quite popular. The poet described Santa Claus going up and down the chimney, leaving toys in stockings hanging by the fireplace.

Santa Claus has been seen in many forms in many countries. But he has always had a long white beard and a sack of toys on his back that he has delivered to all the good children around the world. Even today, he is believed to be the messenger of goodwill and peace and a guardian of children.

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