What Is the Origin of Santa Claus? The Santa Claus the world
knows—the “Coca Cola” Santa Claus decked out in red and white—is
synonymous with Christmas, flying red-nosed reindeer, a big
jolly laugh, and lots and lots of presents. Tales of old Saint
Nick have spread across the planet and worked their way into
numerous cultures. But do you know how the story of the fat man
in the red suit first got started? The legend of Santa Claus
actually evolved over time. Saint Nicholas of Myra is the real
man upon whom the modern-day Santa Claus is based. While history
is somewhat murky about the details of Nicholas of Myra’s life,
we’re pretty certain he lived in Myra (hence his name), which is
now located in Turkey, and helped lots of folks in need. One
story tells how Bishop Nicholas threw sacks of gold into the
window of a poor man who did not have funds for his daughters’
dowries. This good deed apparently saved the girls from having
to work in brothels, thus saving the family’s honor. From that
act of kindness, the