The Truth About Santa Claus
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. .” – Francis Pharcellus Church, an editorial writer for the New York Sun, 1897
Around Christmas, children ask the proverbial question, “Is Santa real?” Parents and teachers answer this question, which has a simple answer. There is a Santa Claus with a rich and varied history that ultimately resides in the hearts of those who believe.
In 1897, a girl by the name of Virginia O’Hanlon wrote The New York Sun, and an editor by the name of Francis Pharcellus Church responded in the September 21st edition. The story has become a legend in American Folklore and lives on to prove that Santa is real.
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.” – Francis Pharcellus Church, an editorial writer for the New York Sun, 1897
So what are the true origins of Santa? What is the truth behind Santa?
St. Nicholas
There are many origin stories related to the modern-day version of Santa Claus. One of the older versions connects the origin of Santa to Nicholas of Bari, later St. Nicholas, who lived into the 4th century in Myra, the modern-day region of Turkey. His parents died when he was young and left him orphaned with a sizable inheritance.
He would live with his uncle, the Bishop of Myra, and became very kind. He would make handmade toys for children and care about the poor as a child. His uncle had a vision that he would grow up to bring joy to many people, which would later come true. Nicolas became a monk in his young adulthood and was known to hand out secret gifts to those in need.
One story tells of how St. Nicolas had a custom of hanging up stockings to put presents in it for those less fortunate. It began when he helped a poor man with the dowry (a sum of money to the bridegroom) for his three daughters. St. Nicholas heard of the man who could not afford to pay for his eldest daughter to marry and secretly slipped a sack of gold down the chimney. He did this in secret to not dishonor the poor man’s pride. He would repeat his stealthy gifts for each daughter.
The old man wanted to find out who this mystery donor was and stayed up one night to discover St. Nicholas. Nicolas asked that the poor man not reveal his identity, but the secret got out, and he became a legend. People believed he had magical powers and would leave out shoes in hopes of receiving a visit from him in the night. Nicolas gave away his earthly possessions out of sheer love and generosity for others. He was made a Saint for these and other deeds. Today, St. Nicholas is considered the saint of children and sailors.
Eventually, St Nicholas would take over his uncle’s position as the Bishop of Myra. Finally, he would be persecuted and exiled from Myra. He died around December 6th in either somewhere between 343 – 354 C.E. . The inspiring generosity of St. Nicholas would live on for another thousand years in the hearts of people who believed in his magic and power to give with love.
St. Nicholas Becomes Santa.
During the 16th European Reformation in northern Europe, stories and traditions related to St. Nicholas lost popularity. What replaced him was a character named St. Christmas, Father Christmas, or Old Man Christmas, who would deliver presents to children. He was an old character from middle-aged plays originating in the U.K. and Northern Europe. In France, he was known as Père Noël.
In the early years of the U.S.A., Kris Kringle emerged, coming from the name Christkind. Dutch settlers to the U.S.A. shared old stories of St. Nicholas, which merged with Kris Kringle to become Sinterklaas, or Santa, as he is now called.
On December 6th, many European countries celebrate St. Nicholas day, where children will leave out shoes or socks to receive gifts if they have been good for the year.
Modern Day Santa
Washington Irvine wrote of Santa Claus. In 1809 Irvine wrote the book Knickerbocker’s History of New York. In it, he referenced a surprising Santa sighting in New York. Irvine explained how Santa (called St. Nicholas here ) came flying over the trees of Central Park in his wagon; the same used to give presents to children. He stepped out of his wagon to smoke his pipe before getting back in and flying away.
In December 1823, Clement Clark Moore walked home to his family with a turkey under his arm when he became inspired to write a poem initially entitled A Visit from St. Nicholas, which would later be renamed The Night Before Christmas.
Many more authors, musicians, and storytellers would create an image that we associate with Santa today. Although Santa has taken on a very commercial tone in recent history, the spirit of giving and receiving draws us to this almost mythical character.
The Spirit of Santa
Just as in the stories of the generosity, kindness, and love of St. Nicholas, who gave selflessly to the poor and cared for children (and sailors!), the spirit of Santa exists even today.
It lies in the hearts and minds of children who every year approach this time with wonderment, validating that it is good in the world and that magic is real.
Regardless of the history or beliefs in Santa, it is safe to say that everyone seeks that twinkle, that spark of inspiration and joy, that allows us to believe that anything is possible if only we think with the fullness of our hearts.
A Psychic Perspective
Santa is not only the jolly man of stories, movies, and songs but a spirit that we may connect with every day, not just during the December holidays. When we allow energy into our hearts and lives, we open to innumerable gifts and a sense of healing and wonder. Santa comes to us at a miracle vibration and is powerful beyond measure. You may tap into the spirit of Santa at any time. You only need to call upon him.
Santa is always present in spirit, and to connect, you only need to call him by name and ask for what you need. Santa helps you to up-level your sense of abundance or havingness in your life. When you connect to the Santa vibration, you may experience child-like joy and wonderment, keeping you in lightness and state of play, called psychic ‘kindergarten’. It is arguably the most potent manifestation or mock-up tool that exists. The truth about Santa is that he exists within, and you may connect with him all year round, no matter what your age. You may visit Santa in the yearly Santa Claus Meditation, offered live or by MP3 recording to students of Clairvoyant Meditation 102 Class or higher.
If you want to explore psychic tools, meditation, and psychic development, sign up for our Clairvoyant Meditation Free Open House to learn about course offerings or book a psychic reading or spiritual healing through The Psychic School.
