by Marian Huyck Grossi

Created on: December 17, 2008   Last Updated: December 18, 2008

"Man has three stages," the quotation said, "the first stage is when he believes in Santa Claus; the second stage he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, and the third stage he is Santa Claus." How perfectly a few words can sum up man, but how does one sum up Santa Claus and all of the changes he has gone through?

The twentieth century brought about changes in all parts of the world. From inventions to yes, Santa Claus, that whiskered fellow with more names than you can shake a stick at.

"Twas the night before Christmas (and all through the house)" has been attributed to Clement Clarke Moore "With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick." When I really think about it this guy Saint Nick, aka Saint Nicholas, must be a little old fellow so full of energy he could sell exercise machines!

L. Frank Baum had a different take on Santa Claus when he wrote "A Kidnapped Santa Claus." We all know he lives in the North Pole and has elves working for him. But, according to Baum's book Santa Claus and all of his helpers, who were gleaned from ryls, pixies, knooks, and fairies, lived in Laughing Valley! Supposedly these folks were all very tiny, and no one could damper their high spirits. They were happily working in the shops from year end to the following Christmas Eve. A well-run work environment I'd say. Sadly, Santa Claus was kidnapped by the Daemons and I'll let you read the story yourself to find out the rest.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, written by Charles Dickens's in 1843, is the famous heart-touching story of Ebeneezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchit family, Tiny Tim, and Ebenezer Scrooge. In the book there is the Spirit of Christmases Past and Spirit of Christmas Present. A CHRISTMAS CAROL has been filmed from the beginning of movies, both silent and talkies. Broadway and schools all over the country have plays about "A Christmas Carol." It is a favorite story in cartoons, and from the day it went on the market for sale the book has been popular.

In the book, "How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar," written by Francis Bret Harte (1839-1902), Santa Claus was known as "The Old Man." The story is set in the Sierras near Sacramento, California in 1862. Supposed "The Old Man," had thinning hair and grizzly facial hair. His first wife was an adulterer and his second wife, although a large woman, was a very good cook. My, oh my. Could this be one and the same man that visits children every Christmas Eve?

In the old 1964 film, SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS, we see a different take on Santa Claus. There are movies and cartoons, books, and songs all about Santa Claus. Trying to sift through them and make sense would take months, even years. Trying to explain all of the changes to children would take a lot of nerve and I would never try.

According to one story I read, Santa Claus is clinically depressed, because of his obesity and possible drinking problem!

From Saint Nicolas (Sankt Nikolaus or der heilige Nikolaus), who was probably born around A.D. 245 in what we now call Turkey, to the "Jolly Old Fellow," "Santy," "The Old Man," "Christmases Past and Christmas Present," "St. Nick," and many others, the evolution of Santa Claus remains the same... children love the jolly fat man! I know there will always be a Santa Claus, I see him in all of the department stores!

Merry Christmas!

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