Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, has given rise to a multitude of ancillary traditions, such as Christmas trees and gift-giving, but perhaps no tradition is more pervasive in modern America than the mythical figure of Santa Claus. Imagined as a jolly fat man with a flowing white beard in a heavy red suit, he is considered to have evolved from an historical figure, Saint Nicholas, whose habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus. Even today, Santa Claus is often referred to as Saint Nick.

However, the story of Santa Claus as a man who lives at the North Pole but leaves every Christmas Eve on a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer to deliver presents to children all over the world is a fairly recent development. 

Many Christians are understandably nervous about the emphasis on Santa Claus at Christmastime, fearing that it replaces the “true meaning” of the season, which is a remembrance of the Incarnation of Christ, born of a Jewish virgin in a stable in Bethlehem. Others are reluctant to tell children that Santa Claus is real, as they see that as not being entirely truthful. 

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