Santa Claus and Christmas Day圣诞老人和圣诞节

Santa Claus and Christmas Day

To understand Santa Claus, we must go back 1600 years to the fourth century. A Roman Catholic church official of that time, Nicholas of Myra, became famous for his many good works. After he died, the church declared him a Saint. He became a special saint for children. On the anniversary of his death each year, good children received gifts. In the Netherlands people told children the gifts came from Sanit Nicholas. In the Dutch language his name was Santa Claus. The Dutch brought this tradition to America. Americans called the gift giver Santa Claus and they included him in their Christmas celebration. History experts say the first description of Santa Claus in the United States appeared in the poem “ A Visit from Santa Nicholas”. It was published in 1823. In the 1860s, artist, Thomas Nast drew a picture of Santa Claus for a newspaper. He drew a fat, smiling old man with white fur. Tradition says that on the night before Christmas, Santa Claus travels from the North Pole through the air in a sleigh pulled by 8 reindeer. He stops at each house to leave gifts for children. Gene Autry sings about him in the song. Some Americans open their gifts the night before Christmas. Others wait until Christmas morning. On christmas Day, many Americans go to church or visit friends or family members. They eat a special meal or they help celebrate the holiday by serving meals to

homeless people. But wherever Americans go on Christmas Day, they always wish each other --- Merry Christmas! Music is a big part of Christmas celebrations in the United States. Americans enjoy all kinds of Christmas songs. Here is #### tell us a few about them. Christmas celebrates the birth of the child called Jesus. Christians believe Jesus, the son of God sent to earth to save the world. Many Americans go to the church on Christmas. They pray and sing songs in praise of Jesus Christ. One religious Christmas song is O Holy Night. ### sings it here.