- You know, we were all told that Santa Claus
is real as kids, and then of course that he wasn't
as adults, but what if I told you that he actually
did exist and yes, he did give presents?
Welcome to "Facts in 5," the series that covers
the coolest and most interesting facts
on a topic in five minutes or less.
Today, in honor of the holiday season,
we're going to be discussing the jolly
plump man who enjoys breaking into houses,
eating your cookies and then leaves his calling
card of toys for children.
That's right, this is "Facts in 5" all about Santa Claus.
Who is Santa Claus?
Santa Claus is a legendary figure, and the world's
most popular non-Biblical saint.
His stories have brought joy to millions, but before
he was the apparent mysterious leader of an
army of toy-making elves, he was just a normal man.
Yes, that's right, Saint Nick was a real person.
Known as Saint Nikolaos of Myra,
and also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker,
Sinterklaas, Grandfather Frost and even Odin.
He was a man born in Patara, known today as Turkey
sometime in the year 270 A.D.
He was known by many as a kind man, and had a
reputation for helping the poor and giving gifts
to people who needed it, as well as children
who were well-behaved.
What are the legends of Santa?
There are a number of legends about Mr. Kringle,
but for all of them to be true, he would have to have
an incredibly large amount of magical abilities.
In fact, according to Marvel Comics, a real-life
Santa would have to possess the powers
of invulnerability; longevity of live; metamorphosis,
in order to squeeze down chimneys; levitation;
transmutation, including transforming living
objects into inanimate ones; teleportation;
and some form of telepathy, you know, to determine
who's naughty from nice.
From a scientific standpoint, he would also be able
to possess some type of control over time
in order to get around the world in one night,
and also the ability to control animals.
Now, of course as impossible as all of this seems,
still millions of people continue to believe in him.
Where did the story of the North Pole originate?
You've likely heard the legend that Santa lives
in the North Pole, a claim that of course, arctic
explorers reject, as many have traveled there
and well, they just never saw him.
The real Santa Claus, as I mentioned, never lived
anywhere near the North Pole, with the idea
of him living there originating from clever
advertising decades ago, which just sort of
stuck over the years.
It is interesting to note, however, that there is
in fact a real-life Santa's workshop that you can visit.
Located in the town of Rovaniemi, Finland,
Santa Claus's village is an attraction set up to
look just like what every movie depicts
Santa's workshop to be.
It offers sleigh rides, reindeer petting zoos
and snowmobile expeditions.
You can even spend the night in an Arctic Circle
cabin of your own.
Of course, it's no North Pole, but the experience
is much more pleasant and warmer.
When did Santa become popular?
In 350 A.D. it was proclaimed that the official
date to celebrate the anniversary of Christ's
birth was December 25th by Pope Julius I.
But even before that, Father Christmas was gaining
fame as a saint, giving gifts of coins and food
to the needy until his death in 343 A.D.
The legends quickly came forward claiming that
Nicholas was immortal and still delivered
gifts on the eve of December 6th, known as
Saint Nicholas Day.
Of course, this day was later changed to align
with Christmas, and his popularity spread worldwide.
In 1931, the Coca-Cola company bombarded
everyone with a massive ad campaign that depicted
Father Christmas in red and white Coke colors.
The campaign was so widely loved that that
particular image of Saint Nick is the one most
people know today.
That's right, the current look of Santa Claus was
the work of Coca-Cola.
That's not the way that he originally looked.
Why does Santa's legend persist?
Well, a large part of why the legends of a man
who existed thousands of years ago continues
to survive is mostly because of the
commercialization of Christmas.
See, Santa has become a mascot of sorts,
helping big companies empty your wallet
every December, but it's more than that.
The legend of Santa has become an integral
part of North American culture and cultures
all over the world.
The idea of a selfless being who brings joy
to so many people's lives puts smiles on many kids'
and adults' faces during a time of year that is
usually pretty stressful.
So before you say bah humbug to the idea
of Santa Claus and Christmas, remember that
he was a man that did truly once exist, and he
continues to bring smiles to millions every year.
So have fun this holiday season, and enjoy
whatever it is you're celebrating.
Now you're just a little bit smarter.
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Merry Christmas!
Mah!