Lincoln and Santa Claus

[Eva Elisabeth]

(12-02-2013 07:02 PM)Anita Wrote:  "The Richmond Examiner described Santa to its young readers as "a Dutch toy monger" who was a New York/New England "scrub" and Hottentot.

The writer from the Richmond Examiner was right that the Dutch brought Santa Claus to America, but he was pretty bad at geography calling S.C. a "Hottentot".

"Hottentot" was the Dutch word for all native South Africans when the Dutch settled in the Cape region during the 18th century.

Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra (Demre, part of modern-day Turkey) in Lycia. He was born on March15, 270 in Patara, Lycia, and died on Dec. 6, 343 (aged 73) in Myra. Nikolaos, or Nicholas, had a reputation for generosity and kindness, for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and for performing miracles for the poor and unhappy.

In the Middle Ages, devotion to Nicholas extended throughout Europe. He became the patron saint of Russia and Greece; of children, sailors, unmarried girls, etc.; and of the cities Fribourg (Switzerland), and Moscow. Thousands of European churches were dedicated to him (in "my" city, two, one of them built in 1242). His legend was united with old Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with gifts.Dutch colonists took this tradition with them to New Amsterdam (NYC) in the 17th century, and Sinterklaas (the Dutch name) soon became Santa Claus.

In Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries, this Friday (the anniversary of his death and his name day), Saint Nicholas will put sweets, nuts and oranges into good children's boots waiting on the doormats.
   
Russian icon of St Nicholas with scenes from his life. Late 1400s or early 1500s. National Museum, Stockholm.

Here's some more about Thomas Nast's and others' influence on Santa Claus: http://www.the-north-pole.com/history/