How Did Santa Become Santa?

Santa Claus is such a big part of Christmas, but have you ever wondered where his story began? Let’s take a sleigh ride through history and discover how Santa Claus became the jolly figure we know and love today.

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Episode Transcript

I Wonder Podcast (00:02):
This might be where the idea of Santa flying
through the sky with reindeergot its start.
In ancient Norse mythology, theGod Odin was said to ride his
magical eight-legged horse,Sleipnir, through the night sky
delivering small gifts to people.

(00:25):
Hey there, curious minds.
Welcome to another episode of IWonder, the show where we
explore the questions you'vebeen wondering about.
Today's question comes from Max, who lives in Costa Mesa,
California.
Max asked "how did Santa Clausbecome what he is today?
What a great question, Max.

(00:47):
Santa Claus is such a big partof Christmas, but have you ever
wondered where his story began?
Let's take a sleigh ridethrough history and discover how

(01:08):
Santa Claus became the jollyfigure we know and love today.
The story of Santa Claus beginsa long time ago, about 1700
years ago, with a man namedSaint Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas wasn't from theNorth Pole.

(01:31):
He was actually from a placecalled Mida, which is modern-day
Turkey.
He was known for his kindnessand generosity, especially
toward children and people inneed.
One of the most famous storiesabout St Nicholas is how he
secretly helped a poor family bytossing bags of gold coins

(01:54):
through their window at night.
According to the legend, one ofthe bags even landed in a
stocking that was hanging by thefire to dry Sound familiar.
That's where the tradition ofhanging stockings for Santa
comes from.
Saint Nicholas became sobeloved that, after he passed

(02:17):
away, people began celebratinghis life every year.
He also became the patron saintof sailors, children and even
pawnbrokers.
Story of his generosity spreadfar and wide, inspiring people
in different professions andwalks of life.
Over time, his story grew andchanged, with each culture

(02:39):
adding its own unique details.
How Saint Nick Nick became SantaClaus?
Fast forward several centuriesand St Nicholas' story makes its
way to Europe, where he becameknown as Sinterklaas in
countries like the Netherlands.
Dutch settlers brought thetradition of Sinterklaas to

(03:04):
America in the 1600s and overtime his name transformed into
Santa Claus.
In the 1800s, writers andartists in America began
creating the Santa Claus werecognize today.
A famous poem called A Visitfrom St Nicholas, also known as

(03:32):
Twas, the Night Before Christmas, described Santa as a jolly man
with a round belly, a sleighpulled by reindeer anda habit of
coming down chimneys to delivergifts.
This poem, written in 1823,became hugely popular and shaped
the modern image of SantaAround.
The same time, artists likeThomas Nast drew illustrations

(03:54):
of Santa Claus dressed in a redsuit, with a big white beard.
These images made Santa's lookeven more iconic.
These images made Santa's lookeven more iconic.
By the early 1900s, santa Claushad become a central symbol of
Christmas cheer and generosity,spreading joy wherever his story

(04:18):
was told.
And while Coca-Cola didn'tinvent Santa Claus, their
advertisements in the 1930s madehis image with the red suit
famous around the world,cementing the image of Santa
that we know today.
Even though Santa Claus'sappearance has changed over the
years, one thing has alwaysstayed the same His spirit.
Ho ho, ho.

(04:39):
Santa represents the idea ofgiving kindness and spreading
joy.
When you think about it, thereal magic of Santa isn't just
about gifts.
It's about bringing peopletogether, helping others and
making the world a happier placeduring holiday season.
That's why so many peoplearound the world celebrate Santa

(05:02):
in their own unique way.
In some countries, childrenleave out their shoes instead of
stockings.
In others, santa has helperswho deliver treats or gifts.
And even before Santa becamepart of Christmas, the idea of
generosity during the winterseason was central to many
cultures.

(05:23):
In ancient Norse mythology, forexample, the god Odin was said
to ride his magical eight-leggedhorse Sleipnir through the
night sky delivering small giftsto people.
This might be where the idea ofSanta flying through the sky
with reindeer got its start.

(05:43):
Another fun part of Santa'sstory is his workshop in the
North Pole.
This idea didn't appear untilthe late 1800s, when American
writers and illustrators startedimagining Santa living in a
magical place filled with snowand elves.

(06:04):
Before that, people thought ofSaint Nicholas as living closer
to forests or mountains inEurope.
The North Pole idea gave Santaan even more magical home, far
away from the rest of the world,where he could prepare for
Christmas with the help of histrusty elves.

(06:28):
So, Max, how did Santa Clausbecome what he is today?
It all started with SaintNicholas, a kind and generous
man who inspired people to giveto others.
Over time, his story grew andchanged, transforming into the
jolly Santa Claus we know today,a symbol of kindness, joy and

(06:48):
the spirit of Christmas.
From his early days in Turkeyto his workshop at the North
Pole, santa's story reminds usthat the true magic of the
season is about giving andspreading happiness.
Thanks again to Max for such aheartwarming question, and

(07:18):
remember, if you have a questionyou're curious about, submit it
on our websiteiwonderpodcastcom, and we might
just feature it in our nextepisode of I Wonder.
Until next time, stay curiousand keep wondering.