Santa Claus

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Santa Claus Day, December 6

***** Location: Finnland, worldwide
***** Season: Mid-Winter
***** Category: Humanities



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Explanation

***** St. Nicholas Day, December 6

In Finnland:
The Santa Claus we have now is a combination of many magic of creatures. The Model of Santa Claus was Saint Nicholaus, who helped children and the poor. Saint Nicholaus is patron saint sailors and children. People still celebrate him on 6th December, which is Finland Independence Day.

Nowadays every child in the world knows, that Santa Claus lives in Korvatunturi, which is a small mountain in Finnish Lapland. From there he leaves with a sleigh, which eight reindeers pull, to bring presents to children.
The Elves is Scandinavian phenomenon. Some people think the elves are Santa Claus’ and his wife children, some people think the elves are Santa Claus’ helper. Some people think that Santa Claus’ wife does magic in this way elves are born.

Read more about the Finnish Christmas customs and food here on this pretty Christmas site.
http://www.edu.ouka.fi/koulut/toppila/ya/comenius/finnishxmas.htm


Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus, who is who?



The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Read more about this here:
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38

Saint Nicholas traditions in many countries

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23

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Worldwide use

Australia



Santa Claus and Christmas are
kigo for mid-summer
in the Southern Hemisphere !


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Germany

Der Heilige Nikolaus,　
he visits each family with a stick and a large sack full of presents. He knows all the bad things you have done during the year. If you confess nicely, he will forgive and deliver his present. I will never forget all the excitement at Nikolaus Day around six, when there was a loud bang at the door and this droning voice asking: "Are the good children all at home?"
Gabi Greve

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Things found on the way

Santaland online
A World View of Christmas
Christmas in Finland
Polish Christmas Traditions
For those who love the spirit of christmas
A History of Santa
Lighting the Christmas Tree
Legend of the Candy Cane
Christmas at Rumela's web
Discover delightful ways to celebrate Christmas in Australia
Christmas from the Heart
http://www.santaland.com/tradit.html


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HAIKU

St Nicholas's Day --
the neighbours' sunshade
flaps in the wind.

Isabelle Prondzynski

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Santa Parade



Santa parade
the toddler watching
his breath

Santa parade
the crowd dissolves
behind the Santa float





Santa parade
his warm red suit
and pillows

Michael Baribeau


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Related words

***** Santa Socks



You hang them on the chimney and have them filled when Santa comes down at night to deliver his presents.
Started as custom in England, with its many chimneys on the old homes, now also used in USA and other countries.


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Christmas shopping --
even Santa’s beard
has a price tag

post office queue --
Santa Claus waddles past
with a toy duck

Santa’s here!
even the bystander
gets some sweets


Isabelle Prondzynski


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- quote
In late medieval England, on Saint Nicholas' Day parishes held Yuletide "boy bishop" celebrations. As part of this celebration, youths performed the functions of priests and bishops, and exercised rule over their elders. Today, Saint Nicholas is still celebrated as a great gift-giver in several Western European countries. According to one source, in medieval times nuns used the night of 6 December to deposit baskets of food and clothes anonymously at the doorsteps of the needy.
According to another source, on 6 December every sailor or ex-sailor of the Low Countries(which at that time was virtually all of the male population) would descend to the harbour towns to participate in a church celebration for their patron saint. On the way back they would stop at one of the various Nicholas fairs to buy some hard-to-come-by goods, gifts for their loved ones and invariably some little presents for their children.
- source : wikipedia


harbour shrine-
the returning sailor buys sweets
for the children

Angelee Deodhar


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. Santa Claus meets Daruma San 　



. Saints and their Memorial Days 　　



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