"Kris Kringle" is a name for Santa Claus derived from the German word Christkindl (or Christkindlein), meaning "Christ child," a gift-bringer in some Germanic cultures. Unlike "Santa Claus," which is tied to the 4th-century Saint Nicholas, the name Kris Kringle originated separately, becoming popular in the U.S. during the 1800s to describe the holiday gift-giver.
Another name for Santa Claus that grew in popularity in the 1800s was the name Kris Kringle. While Santa Claus was Dutch, Kris Kringle came by way of the Germans who first settled in Pennsylvania and then spread out, particularly in the late 1800s. The name Kris Kringle, though, was unrelated to Saint Nicholas.
The popular conception of Santa Claus originates from folklore traditions surrounding the 4th-century Christian Greek bishop Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas became renowned for his reported generosity and secret gift-giving.
People around the world are celebrating Christmas - and perhaps enjoying a few gifts from Santa Claus. But many don't realize Saint Nicholas was a real guy. Guest host Celeste Headlee talks with Adam English, author of The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, about the real Saint Nicholas.
Are Saint Nicholas and Kris Kringle the same person?
Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop in Myra (modern-day Turkey) known for his generosity. — "Kris Kringle" isn't related to Nicholas at all. It comes from the German "Christkindlein," referring to the "Christ child." — Santa's red suit didn't become the standard until a Coca-Cola advertisement in 1930.
Santa Claus DARK HISTORY: a Christmas Documentary(who are Kris Kringle & Saint Nicholas?)
Is there a dark story behind Santa Claus?
Everybody knows St. Nicholas as the inspiration for modern-day Santa Clause. But what you may not know is an insanely dark and gory origin story in how he became known as the Father of Christmas. It all has to do with a French butcher (or in an 1150 AD version of the tale, an Innkeeper) who some say craved human flesh.
According to some North American sources, his original name was Kris Kringle before he changed his name to Santa Claus. Kris Kringle was a toymaker who married Jessica. Other names found for Mrs Claus are Mary Christmas, Gertrude, and Carol.
Nicholas over the site where Saint Nicholas had served as bishop. His body was exhumed and reinterred in the church, but by the 11th century AD, his remains were reportedly transferred and enshrined as sacred relics in the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Southern Italy.
The "real story of Christmas" centers on the Christian belief in the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, as described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, involving his parents Mary and Joseph, angels announcing the news to shepherds, and wise men (Magi) visiting with gifts. While traditions mix historical events with later cultural elements, the core narrative highlights Jesus's humble birth as God's gift for humanity's salvation, fulfilling prophecy and beginning his mission to bring peace and redemption.
What saints were removed from the Catholic Church?
There are several examples of decanonization in the Catholic Church throughout the centuries. Among the saints decanonized were Kakwykylla, Wilgefortis, Werner, Liban and a host of others deemed to be legendary figures with no historical veracity.
Advent-on-the-go Day 8: In addition to this being the second Sunday of Advent it is also St Nicholas' Day. St Nicholas, better known to many as Santa Claus, was a bishop in the third century in what is present-day Turkey. He is remembered for his love and care for children, especially the children of the poor.
So, historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America.
The origins of Sinterklaas can be found in the stories of St Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop from Myra, now in modern-day Turkey. St Nicholas was credited with a wide variety of miracles. According to one story, he resurrected three youths after they'd been murdered and pickled in a barrel by an innkeeper.
Google Santa Tracker is an annual Christmas-themed entertainment website, launched on December 1, 2004 by Google, that simulates the tracking of the legendary character Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, using pre-determined location information.
Jesus was likely born between 6 and 4 BC, not on December 25th, with many scholars pointing to the reign of King Herod the Great as a key indicator, as the gospels state Jesus' birth occurred shortly before Herod's death around 4 BC, though the exact date remains unknown and traditions vary.
Santa Claus's dark history involves pagan winter figures, demonic companions like Krampus who punished naughty children with switches and sacks, and gruesome medieval tales of Saint Nicholas resurrecting murdered boys, blending grim folklore with the benevolent gift-giver to create a complex figure balancing reward and punishment. These darker elements, including the goat-like Krampus, Père Fouettard (Father Whipper), and pagan winter gods associated with darkness and death, contrast with the modern, jolly Santa but highlight his origins in older traditions.
The Scriptures neither command nor forbid the celebration of Christmas. Christians should celebrate and remember the Lord and what He has done for us, including His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection every day, including Christmas.
The artifact was kept safe in the Holy Land until the time of the Second Crusade when King of Jerusalem Baldwin III gave it to his brother-in-law, Count of Flanders Diederik van de Elzas. The Count then took the relic back to Bruges where it sits in the upper chapel of the Basilica, still unopened to this day.
What was the liquid leaking from St Nicholas bones?
Once believed to be an oil, the liquid oozing from Saint Nicholas's bones in Bari was found by scientists at the University of Bari in 1925 to be water. In all likelihood, it forms as condensation due to the tomb's location underground in a port city.
Nicolas, the original Santa Clause, does not roam the night alone. He has his partner Krampus giving out punishment to those who have behaved badly during the year. Krampus most likely originated from Austria derived from pagan beliefs. He was later adapted to Christian beliefs symbolizing the devil himself.
Mrs. Claus, (also known as Mrs. Santa Claus, Mrs. Santa, Mother Christmas, Mrs. Christmas, Mary Claus or Mary Christmas) is the wife of Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bringer in Western Christmas tradition.
Does Santa have any children? Although Santa and Mrs Claus almost never have children in any of their many depictions, there is at least one Christmas Burlesque musical from 1892 that features Kitty Claus, the daughter of Santa. Funnily enough, we find a few mentions of Kitty in our newspaper collection.
