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The Truth Behind the Legend of
Santa Claus |
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| Although he has dozens of names, arrives in all manner of vehicle, and might well be the most recognizable figure in the world, Santa Claus remains a man of mystery. |
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His image is used to hawk thousands of gift items and the promise of his wrath has kept generations of boys and girls walking the straight and narrow. We're all familiar with the overweight version in a red suit who slides down chimneys, travels by reindeer and ho- hos his way across the country but did you know that...
In Hawaii, he comes by boat, in Ghana he emerges from the jungle, in Australia he rides in on water skis and in Germany he arrives accompanied by a frightening being given to ogre-like growls.
It was in 1822 that Doctor Clement Clarke Moore, the father of several children, presented his family with the famous poem, A Visit From Saint Nicholas. For the first time Santa was transformed from a figure feared by naughty children to "jolly Saint Nick, a plump, happy-go-lucky elf with a sleigh full of toys and eight flying reindeer." Clement Moore clad him in fur, common dress for 18th century gentlemen.
In Austria and Switzerland it's the Christkindl, a beautiful girl angel sent down from heaven, who bears gifts. In Spanish speaking countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, the Philippines and Spain, the Three Kings themselves give the gifts to the children on January 6th.
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