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Who Is the Real Santa Claus?

The road from Saint Nicholas, a bishop in fourth-century Myra, to the Santa Claus of today, by way of the Dutch Sinterklaas. A Christmas listening lesson with real history behind it, for A2 learners and above.

Behind Santa Claus stands a real person: Nicholas, bishop of Myra in the fourth century, in what is now Turkey. He inherited money and gave it away quietly, and the story of the gold he left for three sisters with no dowry is why he became the patron saint of children and of secret giving.

Everything else was added later. Dutch settlers brought Sinterklaas to America, where the name wore down into Santa Claus; the sleigh, the reindeer and the North Pole came from a nineteenth-century poem; and the red suit was made familiar by twentieth-century advertising. Told in that order, the topic gives a class a real chronology to follow and a genuine surprise at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the real Santa Claus?

Saint Nicholas, a bishop who lived in the fourth century in Myra, in what is now Turkey. He was known for giving away his wealth in secret, and the stories of gifts left quietly for people in need grew into the figure we know today.

How did Saint Nicholas become Santa Claus?

Through Dutch settlers, who brought their Sinterklaas to America, where the name was worn down into Santa Claus. Poems and later advertising added the sleigh, the reindeer and the red suit, which are far younger than the saint himself.

Why does Santa come down the chimney?

The detail comes from the old stories of Saint Nicholas dropping bags of gold through a window or a chimney so that a poor family could keep their dignity. Later retellings kept the chimney and gave it to Santa.