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Christmas Special: Once Christmas comes, the first image that comes to children’s minds is that of Santa Claus. Red clothes, a white beard, a big laugh and lots of presents – it seems as if Santa is another name for happiness. Children innocently believe that Santa secretly comes at night and leaves presents, while adults often smile and say it’s just a story. But is Santa just a fantasy or is there some hidden truth behind him?
The True Story of Santa Claus: If we look at history, the story of Santa Claus is not entirely fictional. In fact, its roots are linked to a real person, Saint Nicholas of the 4th century. Saint Nicholas lived in the Myra region of present-day Türkiye and was known for his kind heart and charitable nature. He helped the poor, especially children, secretly so that no one would know.
It is said that Saint Nicholas used to leave money or gifts in the homes of needy people in the dark of the night. For this reason, he became considered the patron saint of children. Gradually, his stories began to become very popular among people and the image of a kind, gift-giving character began to develop.
Over time, the story of Saint Nicholas spread to many countries in Europe. It became known in the Netherlands as Sinterklaas. When the Dutch arrived in America, this name was changed to Santa Claus. From here, the story of Santa Claus began to take a new shape.
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Poems and stories written in America in the 19th century further enhanced the image of Santa. The famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” presented Santa as a flying sleigh, a reindeer, and a jolly old man coming into the house through the chimney. Hence, children’s imagination began to gain wings.
The red and white Santa we know today became popular in the 20th century. It is believed that Coca-Cola advertisements made this Santa appearance known around the world. The smiling face, plump body, gifts in hand – this image became so powerful that it became Santa’s identity.
The question now arises: Does Santa really exist? If we’re talking about Santa with magical powers, he probably isn’t. But it’s also true that Santa’s spirit still lives on. This is what it feels like: giving without expecting, making someone happy and sharing love.
Today, when parents keep gifts for their children, friends surprise each other, or someone helps those in need, Santa Claus comes alive. Perhaps this is why it is said that Santa is not a human being but an emotion, reminding us every Christmas to share humanity and happiness.
