Santa Clause, Christmas, and Religion, to me are all one big part of the holiday season. Christmas is a very joyful time of year for most people. Even those who can't afford much can still enjoy Christmas. It is a time of happiness and cheer. It tends to bring out the good in people. Even the grumpy people who seem like they never smile, might crack a smile for the holiday. The excitement in kids' voices is truly wondrous. "Mommy, I want this for Christmas." "Daddy, will Santa get me this?" It may be a little obnoxious at first, but look back, think about it for a few minutes if you had or have little kids. Doesn't just thinking about it bring a smile to your face. It does mine and my kids are not old enough to ask for things like this. I have listened to my nieces and nephews asking things as such, and I can remember my sisters and I doing the same. All we had to do was see something on a commercial and we wanted it. Didn't really matter what it was, just that we didn't have it.

First we have Santa Claus. No matter what you believe, Santa seems to be a symbol of Christmas. He is in the minds of children and adults alike. He sits in the front yard behind 8 little reindeer. He is in story books that are being read, and in movies that are being watched. Pictures of him are hanging from the Christmas tree. You just can't help but think about Santa Claus when you think about Christmas.

Did you know that in the 4th century there was a man named Saint Nicholas. He was a Bishop and a Saint of Myra in Lycia and Antolia, which is modern day Antalya province, Turkey. The Dutch called him Sinterklaas or Sint-Nikolaas. There is legend that Saint Nicholas like to secretly give out gifts and this is where Santa Claus's name is derived from.

Religion is the most important part of Christmas. Think about it. If you don't know, Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. With out him, we would not have Christmas. I believe that God and Jesus look down here and smile on Christmas because of the cheer and kindness it brings about us.

Christmas is the one time a year that everyone except the scrooges enjoy. It may not always be celebrated on the same day, or be called the same thing, but it is a wonderful holiday. Most people have some time off of work. Other's, if possible, are allowed to work from home that day. These people are mostly Police, EMT's, and Fire of smaller towns. Families come together to celebrate. Hate and anger are forgotten, if just for a little bit. Everyone focuses on having a good time. Children get so excited to open their gifts and see what they got. The day is filled with the kids playing with their new toys. Sometimes, the adults are just as busy with their new toys as well. I can always remember my mom standing in the kitchen, trying to prepare our holiday supper. Sometimes us kids would help. We always loved to taste the food to see if it was just right. I learned from my dad that sometimes you have to take a second taste to confirm if it was right or not. :D Every year without fail, an hour or more after supper was supposed to be finished, we would all sit down to eat.

Santa Claus, religion, and Christmas has always gone together for me. For most of my life, I knew that Jesus was born on Christmas, but I could never remember the story. Now I know the story and it makes Christmas a whole lot more fulfilling. I love all the memories I have from growing up, and I love the memories that my husband and I are making with our children. That just has to be one of the best holidays there is.

Learn more about this author, Sas Freeman.
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