As many are preparing for the arrival this evening of Santa, do you actually know how this tradition came about? Santa is someone who remains in children’s hearts forever. He’s the imaginary make-believe man who magically brings gifts and toys to kids at Christmas. To the “grown-ups”, Santa Claus is the wonderful idea of selfless giving and goodwill.
Santa also has some other names too. Among the common ones are Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus. Both of these names came from the Dutch legend of Sinterklass brought long ago by settlers who arrived in New York. The Dutch long had a legend that Saint Nikolaas brought presents to children. The Dutch honored this kind saint with the annual festival celebrated on December 6th. English-speaking settlers to the new world and who lived nearby took advantage of this enjoyable Dutch festival. They, in turn, brought Sinterklass and the gift-giving custom into their own ritual celebration for Christmas.
World wide there are at least 124 names for the one we call Santa:
- Aba Chaghaloo (Afghanistan)
- Aghios Vassilis (Greece)
- Ash Man (Germany)
- Aya Nicola (Turkish)
- Babadimri, Albania
- Baba Noel, Iraq
- Babbo Natale (Italy)
- Baboushka (Russia)
- Befana (Italy)
- Bellsnickle (Old American)
- Bozic Bata (Serbo-Croatian)
- Bozicek (Slovenia)
- Christkind (Austria)
- Christkindl (Switzerland)
- Christkindle (Germany)
- Daidina Nollag, Ireland
- Ded Moroz “Grandfather Frost” (Russia)
- Deda Mraz (Bosnia /Serbia/Yugoslavia/Macedonia)
- Diado Coleda (Bulgaria)
- Dun Che Lao Ren “Christmas Old Man”(China)
- Dyado Koleda, Bulgaria
- Dyed Moroz (Russia)
- El Niiiito Dios (Mexico)
- El Nino Jesus (Central America)
- Father Christmas (Jamaica/England/N.Z.)
- Feliz Navidad (Uruguay)
- Gaghant Baba (Armenia)
- Ganesha (India)
- Grandfather Frost/Father Frost (Russia)
- Gwiazdor (Poland)
- Hagios Nikolaos (Greece)
- Hoteiosho “a god or priest who bears gifts” (Japan)
- Hoteisho (Japan)
- Ilwyd (Wales)
- Jizo (Japan)
- Jolasveinn (Iceland)
- Joulupukki (Finland)
- Julemanden (Denmark)
- Julenissen “Christmas gnome” (Norway)
- Julgubben (Finland)
- Jultomten “Christmas brownie” (Sweden)
- Kaledu Senis (Lithuania)
- Kanakaloka (Hawaii)
- Karacsony Apo (Hungary)
- Kerstman (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Klees’chen (Luxembourgish)
- Kolyada (Russia)
- Korvatunturl (Lapland)
- Kris Kringle (Aus./Can./U.S.)
- Los Reys Magos (Spain)
- Mar Nkoula (Arabic)
- Menino Jesus (Central America)
- Mikulas (Hungary)
- Moss Craciun (Romania)
- Nicolo (Austria)
- Pa Norsk (Norway)
- Pai Natal (Portugal)
- Papa Noel (Egypt/Spain)
- Papai Noel (Brazil)
- Papal Noel (Spain, Latin America)
- Pelznickel (Dutch/Netherlands/Germany)
- Pere Noel (France/Belgium/Canada)
- Püha Nikolai (Estonian)
- Queen Mab, Canada
- Rauklas (Germany)
- San Nicola (Italian)
- San Nicolò (Italian)
- San Niccolò (Italian)
- San Niklaw (Malta)
- San Nikolas (Basque)
- San Nikola (Maltese)
- San Nicolás (Spanish)
- Saint Basil (America/England/Greek)
- Saint Nicholas (Aus./Can./U.S.)
- Saint Nick (Aus./Can./U.S.
- Saint Nicolas (French)
- Saint Nikolaas (Netherlands)
- Samichlaus (Switzerland)
- Sanctus Nicolaus (Latin)
- Sankt Nicolai (German)
- Sankt Niklaus (German)
- Sankt Nikolai (Norwegian/Swedish)
- Sankt Nikolaus (Swedish/German)
- Sant Nicolau (Catalan)
- Santa Claus (Aus./Can./U.S.)
- Santa Dan Short (Oklahoma City)
- Santa Kurohsu (Japan)
- Santy (Ireland)
- São Nicolau (Portuguese)
- Sfântul Nicolae (Romanian)
- Shaggy Goat (eastern Germany)
- Shakhta Babah (Azerbaijan)
- Shën Koli (Albanian)
- Shën Kolli (Albanian)
- Shën Kollit (Albanian)
- Shën Nikollië (Albanian)
- Sing Dan Lo Ian (Hong Kong)
- Sint Nikolaas (Dutch/Netherlands)
- Sint Nicolaas (Dutch/Netherlands)
- Sint Sinterklaas (Dutch/Netherlands)
- Sinterklas (Indonesia)
- Sinterklass (Colonial Dutch)
- Sontgaclau Romansch:
- Sunnercla (Germany)
- Svätý Mikuláš (Slovakian)
- Svatý Mikkuláš (Czech)
- Svaty Miklas (Czechoslovakia)
- Svetnik Miklavz (Slovenian)
- Sveti Mikalojus (Lithuanian)
- Sveti Nickola (Serbo-Croatian)
- Sveti Nikola (Macedonian/Croatian/Bulgarian)
- Sviatyij Mykolai (Ukrainian)
- Sweti Mikolaj (Poland)
- Swiety Mikolaj (Poland)
- Svyatoy Nikolay(Russian)
- Svyatoy Nikolskay (Russian)
- Svyatoy Nikolsky (Russian)
- Szent Miklós (Hungarian)
- Szent Mikulás (Hungarian)
- Tsminda Nikolozi (Georgian)
- Vader Kersfees (South Africa)
- Viejo Pascuero “Old Man Christmas”(Chile)
- Volvo Indo (Brazil)
- Weihnachtsmann “Christmas Man”(Germany)
The reality is the spirit of Christmas is a mood or attitude that is appropriate for the Christmas season. It is often characterized by spending time with family and friends, feelings of goodwill, a willingness to enjoy oneself, and benevolence. For many it also refers to the biblical meaning which is celebrating the gift of God's love through his Son. The spirit of Christmas can also be a reminder of childhood innocence and a reminder of our real destination in life.
Ralph and I had a long pondering and discussion about Christmas in the early hours of this morning. Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, here are some things you can do that will allow you to experience the true spirit of Christmas:
Giving gifts with eternal value: understanding, compassion, service, friendship, gentleness, and kindness.
Sharing kindness: expressing gratitude and offering forgiveness.
Being selfless: Thinking about others, forgiving, and taking stock of what is truly important.
Being aware of our blessings: acknowledge the good in our lives, sharing what we have with those that have not, and letting those that you care about and are important in your lives know your feelings.
Those of you that read our ramblings are truly appreciated. Your presence allows Ralph and I to survey the world from perspectives that differ from our own. You reinforce the fact that we are blessed in so many ways. For this and your ongoing support we are truly humbled.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE FROM TRIDENT AKUTAN, AK!
Ralph and T
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