Read The Man Behind Santa Claus, Part 1
Another context by Francis Weiser, SJ on the true origin of Santa Claus strongly suggests that Santa Claus is distinct from St. Nicholas.
Although Santa Claus started as St. Nicholas, the figure of St. Nicholas as a bishop was changed to pagan Germanic god Thor by English Presbyterians settlers who found bishops repugnant and who doesn’t celebrate the feasts of saints according to the ancient Catholic calendar.
Thor was the god of the peasants and the common people. He was represented as an elderly man, jovial and friendly, of heavy build, with a long white beard. His element was the fire, his color red. The rumble and roar of thunder were said to be caused by the rolling of his chariot, for he alone among the gods never rode on horseback but drove in a chariot drawn by two white goats (called Cracker and Gnasher). He was fighting the giants of ice and snow, and thus became the Yule-god. He was said to live in the “Northland” where he had his palace among icebergs. By our pagan forefathers he was considered as the cheerful and friendly god, never harming the humans but rather helping and protecting them. The fireplace in every home was especially sacred to him, and he was said to come down through the chimney into his element, the fire. – Francis X. Weiser, SJ
Further in his text, he suggested how it is to better to tell children the difference between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas, such that St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of children while the concept of Santa Claus is delivery man of presents at Christmas Eve.
He gives more suggestions on how parents should deal with children in their inquiry on the reality behind Santa Claus.
Source: The Year of the Lord in Christian Family by Francis X. Weiser, SJ
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