Santa Claus

This episode of Biography presents the story of Santa Claus. Transfixed in American and international culture and folklore as the symbol of Christmas and gift giving, Santa Claus is recognizable to children and adults worldwide. Santa Claus traces the history of this icon and his evolution from the Christian Saint Nicholas to the modern Kris Kringle. Santa Claus would be useful for classes on European History, religion, culture and literature. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• adoration
• anonymous
• anticipation
• anxiously
• canonized
• conduit
• coveted
• diocese
• dismembered
• dogma
• dowry
• embodiment
• facetious
• liberation
• miraculously
• newfangled
• optional
• participants
• particulars
• patron
• precocious
• relic
• staunch
• symbolism
• turbulent
• venerated
• viscous
• zealous

1. The legend of Santa Claus is derived from a real-life fourth century saint. How did a religious figure evolve into a cultural icon?

2. How did a Christian saint become associated with a pagan god?

3. Hanging stockings for Santa to fill is a Christmas tradition in many homes. What is the origin of this tradition?

4. When Martin Luther led the Reformation, he abolished Saint Nicholas. Why did he do this? How did Luther's action contribute to the evolution of Santa Claus?

5. Saint Nicholas, and his different manifestations are Middle Eastern in origin. How did the legend ofSaint Nicholas/Santa Claus travel to Europe and then to the Americas?

6. Santa Claus was further popularized in the 19th century by Clement Moore's popular poem. How did The Night Before Christmas solidify the modern image of Santa Claus?

7. Santa Claus is the universal symbol of the Christmas season. But not all people celebrate Christmas. What are the implications of Santa Claus for those who are not Christian?

8. Discuss how Saint Nicholas might react to his modern day counterpart, Santa Claus.

1. Try to put aside your preconceived ideas and images of Santa Claus. Using the information in the documentary about the history of Santa Claus, and using the medium of your choice, try to create your own image of Santa Claus. What qualities and characteristics of Saint Nicholas/Santa Claus would you choose to reflect?

2. Try to remember when you were a child and your earliest memories of Santa Claus. What did you think of him? What did he represent to you? How did you feel when you became old enough to realize that Santa Claus was a legend?

3. A)Write an essay in which you discuss how Santa Claus's job has changed with modern technology. Whatinventions do you think he would use? B)Create a timeline as a visual representation of the advances in technology and Santa Claus's use of them.

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Air Dates

• December 13, 2004