Saint Nicholas, an early Christian bishop from the port city of Myra (Greek: ; modern-day Demre, Turkey), is known as the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, prostitutes, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, and unmarried women. He is also the legendary giver of gifts at Christmas.

Today’s roly-poly American Santa Claus might seem far removed from the fourth-century Bishop of Myra, but the truth is that his story provides a deep, rich context for our festive traditions and reminds us of the core message of Christ’s gospel.

Origins

Saint Nicholas was born in the fourth century in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) to wealthy parents. He followed the example of Jesus Christ and used his inheritance to help those in need. His kindness grew and legends of his generous acts spread. He is revered as a miracle worker in the East and patron saint of children and sailors in the West.

One tale recounts how he provided three impoverished sisters with dowries so that they could avoid becoming prostitutes. The bags of gold he gave them reportedly appeared in their homes as mysterious presents stuffed into stockings or into shoes left out on the steps. This is where the custom of putting tangerines or satsumas in Christmas stockings originated, as well as the tradition of pawnbrokers placing three bags of gold at the bottom of customers’ stockings.

After the Reformation in the 16th century, stories of Saint Nicholas faded in many European countries and were replaced by other fictional gift-givers, such as Father Christmas in England and Pere Noel in France. But in the Netherlands, the story of Sinterklaas continued to grow and eventually became known as Santa Claus.

Symbolism

As with most saints, Nicholas was venerated in many ways. He became patron saint of many different groups including sailors, merchants, students, children, unmarried maidens, and pawnbrokers (the three gold balls that hang outside a pawn shop are said to represent the bag of gold given to the impoverished nobleman to provide dowries for his daughters and save them from being sold into prostitution).

One story that developed into a Christmas tradition is the tale that he secretly threw bags of money into the house of a poor man so that his daughters could marry without going into prostitution. These bags of gold landed in stockings that were hung up to dry, thus giving us the modern tradition of Santa for hire filling stockings with gifts.

In the East, where he was bishop, he is depicted with a bishop’s mitre and cap (or biretta) and holding a Gospel book and omophorion. He is portrayed as a jolly man with a white beard and red coat, and in Western Europe, after the Reformation, he became Santa Claus.

Popularity

As time went by, Saint Nicholas, despite being a bishop and not known to be jolly or have a large belly, became more and more well-known for his generosity. He became the patron saint of sailors, pawnbrokers and children. He was also a popular subject in icons.

Dutch settlers brought Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas as they called him in their new homeland, to America with them where he was soon referred to as Santa Claus. This was around the same time that Thomas Nast began drawing St Nick wearing the red suit we now think of as the traditional outfit of our beloved Christmas present bringer!

It took a while but slowly and surely the story of Saint Nick evolving into Santa Claus became entwined with Christmas. Book by book, poem by poem and tradition by tradition, the myth of Saint Nicholas transformed into a figure who brought gifts to good children. He now appears on Christmas cards and in countless children’s stories.

Influence

In his lifetime, Saint Nicholas was a popular figure who inspired people with his generous spirit. His parents died in an epidemic while he was still young, leaving him with an inheritance that he used to help the poor. One of the most famous stories involves him helping a family in distress by dropping coins down their chimney.

Over the centuries, the story of Saint Nicholas has taken many forms and grown into the legend of Santa Claus. He has been transformed from the fourth century bishop to a jolly gift-giver and patron saint of children and sailors.

The modern Santa Claus emerged in the 1800s when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old tales. The Santa of the modern era grew in popularity with the publication of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicolas’ and Thomas Nast’s depictions of him wearing a red suit and driving a sleigh pulled by reindeer. These depictions helped to shape the image of Santa that we now know and love.