The original Santa Claus, St.Nicholas, was born in the ancient
southeastern Turkish town of Lycia early in the fourth century.
His generosity was legend,and he was particularly fond of children.
We know this primarily through Roman accounts of his patronage
of youth, which eventually led to his becoming the patron saint
of children. Throughout the Middle Ages, and well beyond,he was
referred to by many names none of them
Santa Claus.
Children today would not at all recognize the St.Nick who brought gift to
European children hundreds of years ago except perhaps for his cascading
white beard. He made rounds in full red-and-white bishop's robes,
complete with twin peaked miter and crooked crozier.
He was pulled by not fleet footed reindeer ,
but coaxed in indolent donkey. And he arrived not late on Christmas Eye,
but on his Christian feast day, December 6. The gift he
left beside the hearth were usually small:
fruit, nuts, hard candies, wood and clay figurines.