The Story of Santa

Santa Claus was originally known as St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was born in 280 A.D., in Patara, a City of Lycia Asia Minor known as Turkey. He became the gift giver of Myra. His gifts were given late at night, so that the gift givers identity would remain a secret. He was eventually named the patron sint of children, sailors, Russia, and Greece.
St. Nicholas was a Christian priest, who later became a bishop. He was a rich person. He traveled the country helping people, giving them money and other presents. St. Nicholas did not like to be seen when he gave away presents, so the children of the day were told to go to sleep early or he would not come! Nothing has changed and Santa Claus will not arrive this Christmas unless the children go to sleep early.
St. Nicholas continued his goes works until he died on December 6, 350. His kindness and generosity became known worldwide, though.
In the eyes of the Catholics, a saint is someone who has live such a holy life the, after dying and going to heaven , he or she is still able to help people on earth. By 450, churches in Asia Minor and Greece were being named in honor of him. By 800, he was officially recognized as saint by Eastern Catholic Church. In the 1200s, December 6 began to be celebrated as Bishop Nicholas' Day in France.
Over the centuries, St. Nicholas' popularity grew. And many people in Europe made up new stories that showed his concern for children.
The name Santa Claus was derived from Sinter Klass, the Dutch pronunciation of St. Nicholas. As children from other countries tried to pronounce Sinter Klass, which was settled as Santa Claus. The old bishop's cloak with miter, jeweled gloves, and crozier were soon replaced with his red suit and clothings seen in modern images.