Santa Claus is coming to town

Each of us probably believed in Santa Claus until we were 7 years old and realized it was too good to be true or our parents had come up with another crafty lie. But it wasn't a new lie, it had been passed on down the generations and fooled everyone. 

The name Santa Claus has evolved from the Dutch words Sint Klaas which meant Saint Nicholas. He was a monk born in a city near Turkey and was known for his magnanimity. He distributed his inheritance and dedicated his life to the poor. One of his famous legends tells us about his generosity wherein he delivered 3 bags of gold to a despairing, indebted father as the dowry for his 3 daughters, and saved them from prostitution. 

For scores of years, children received their presents from St. Nicholas. 
But in the 15th century the Protestants argued against the veneration of priests and saints, his popularity diminished. Now the children had no one to give them their annual gifts, so the onus fell on Jesus. Though modern-day research and technology show that St. Nicholas had no resemblance with the Santa Claus we know, the red-robed, silver bearded fluffy Santa came into existence as Jesus's helper.

But what about the reindeers who lead the sleigh and help Santa circumnavigate the whole world on just a single night?
Dasher was the fastest of the gang; Dancer, the most elegant; Prancer, the most majestic and Vixen, the most ravishing. Comet, the strongest; Cupid, the most romantic; Donder means thunder and Blitzen means lightning.
And lastly, the most famous one Rudolph, who led the sled through the darkest night and went down in history.

Thank you for taking the time to read it 
Written by Vaibhav 
Meme by Veertej 
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the daHistorian team 

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