“Santa Claus is about as scary as it gets for babies. It’s like taking a 4-year-old to a frightening Halloween movie,” said Tom McMahon. When you think, “Santa Claus,” images of an overweight elderly man in a red costume come to mind. What most don’t know is Santa is an old legend/folktale with a long line of happy Christmas happenings. It is believed that Old Saint Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in an ancient city in modern-
day Turkey. Raised as a devout Christian, Nicholas’ parents died in a tragic accident leaving, him to take care of himself. Following direction from Jesus, Nicholas was to “sell what you own and give money to the poor.” His love of children and parades of gift giving also grew into a career for Nicholas. Just how did Saint Nick become a Saint? Nicholas, being the Christian that he was, became a bishop to a church in his town. Much admired for his unnatural kindness and heroism, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. One of the best known St. Nicholas stories is that he saved three poor sisters. During that time, in order for a woman to become married, she must be presented with a dowry. Saint Nicholas, being the gernerous person he was, served the man with a one pouch of gold coins for each of his daughters. Saint Nicholas would throw the pouch through the window and it would land into either a shoe or a stocking that would be hanging above the fireplace to dry. This has now been fabricated into Santa loading your holiday stockings with goodies worth smiling for. He was a hero and an icon of chairty back then. Now, he’s the big guy in red that gives well-behaved children presents, and misbehaved children lumps of coal. Saint Nick turned into his modern form in 1823 in the poem, “A Visit From Saint Nicholas,” more commonly known as, “The Night Before Christmas,” by writer Clement Clarke Moore. Moore included such details like the names of Santa’s reindeer; Santa’s laughs, winks, nods and the method Saint Nicholas uses to return up the chimney. Children naturally wanted to know where Santa Claus came from, where he lived when he was not delivering presents, and if he like red more than green.In order to keep the illusion alive, parents fabricated the famous legend as years passed, adding that Santa Claus lived at the North Pole, owned magic reindeer and befriended elves who were excellent craftsmen. This, of course, would provide parents an easy scapegoat as to why their children could not visit Santa Claus. He simply lived in secret, so as to keep the spirit and magic of Christmas a growing obsession and fascination. Like most legends, Santa Claus is one of morality, integrity, kindness and humility. His job all year round is to help little ones achieve their goal of landing on the “nice” list. Some parents choose to keep their children away from the idea of Santa Claus. Some religious practices forbid it and the idea of “lying” to one’s child is simply unbearable. Ohlone Psychology Professor McMahon said, “Parents get so excited to have their child’s photo taken with Santa that they sometimes
forget how terrifying it might be for the child.” A huge guy in a red suit does not exactly make for a wonderous Christmas treat to some toddlers. “The malls resonate with horrifying screams from small children who do not want to meet the big man in the red suit. If Santa frightens your child, begin by watching him from afar. Follow your child’s lead. If he or she is uncomfortable with the situation, then let him or her be.”Santa Claus has been used not only as an example of a person with good ethics, but nowadays he’s used as a sales booster, and a popular addition to advertisements. Around Christmas time, Santa not only gives gifts to the youth, but to the economy as well. Despite his current status as an attraction to children, he still remains a symbol of that special time of year, for family, togetherness and holiday spirit.
By EAN TAIJERON
Staff writer
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