Christmas celebration
New Delhi: As soon as the Christmas festival arrives, an atmosphere of excitement is created in homes, markets and schools. In India, this festival is no longer limited to only the Christian community, but every section celebrates it in its own way. Children have special enthusiasm about this festival, because one name always remains prominent in their stories – Santa Claus. The same Santa, who leaves gifts secretly at night.
Is Santa Claus real?
Is Santa just a fictional character or was there actually a person? How did the tradition of giving gifts to children begin, and did any saint really distribute gifts at night? The answers to these questions lie in an interesting and inspiring story, which is still considered to be the soul of this beloved festival.
Significance of Christmas date
The tradition of celebrating Christmas on December 25 began in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ. In Christianity, Jesus is considered the messenger of God and guide of humanity. On this day, prayers are offered in churches, special songs are sung and services are performed. The main message of this festival is of love, kindness and shared happiness, due to which it has now become a symbol of global unity.
Real identity of Santa Claus
Santa Claus was actually Saint Nicholas, who was born in 280 AD in the city of Myra, which is part of present-day Türkiye. The demise of his parents made his life difficult, but he turned his grief into his strength. Faith and service became the basis of his life. First as a priest and then as a bishop, he worked for the weaker sections of the society and created his own identity.
Beginning of gift giving tradition
Nicholas had a very kind heart towards children. A childhood spent in poverty gave him the ability to understand the pain of others. He kept gifts secretly at night to help needy families. They did this noble deed anonymously, thereby laying the foundation for the Christmas tradition of gift giving.
The journey from Sinterklaus to Santa Claus
In America, Saint Nicholas came to be known as Santa Claus, inspired by the Dutch folktale character ‘Sinterklaus’. The image of Sinterklaas was that of a cheerful and kind saint. Gradually this name became popular all over the world. The story of distributing gifts in red clothes and riding on reindeer also became a part of this cultural expansion, which gave wings to the imaginations of children.
A legacy of service and inspiration
Saint Nicholas died in Myra on 6 December 343 AD. Even today, the basic message of his story is not a gift, but the spirit of service. The image of Santa at Christmas teaches us that spreading happiness does not require fame. A small noble step can bring a smile to someone’s face. This is the biggest legacy of Santa, which is alive in the hearts.
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