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Saturday, December 20, 2014

{The Birth of Santa Claus}

We are nearing Christmas, so this story about the Birth of Santa Claus is interesting...
English speaking readers can read the text below:
The American Santa Claus has developed strictly on his own to the point where he is now stationed on the North Pole and drives a team of reindeer. 
All that remains of his Dutch phase is his name: Santa Claus is a direct derivation of Sinterklaas.
Popular Dutch folk song...
For the Dutch Sinterklaas Eve...
Large chocolate initials serve as place settings along with the so-called 'lovers', tall men and women of speculaas, a crisp and dark brown pastry rather like ginger bread.
From De Nederlandse COURANT
The mailing of St. Nicholas cards was in the beginning of the 20th century a tradition in the better circles.

Related links:
{Of Sint and Santa} | previous post by me
{How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats} | previous post by me

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31 comments:

  1. LVDecember 18, 2014 at 8:53 PM

    Great and interesting post. Most informative as well. I learn so much from bloggers.

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 18, 2014 at 9:05 PM

      Dearest LV,
      History is always most interesting! We all learn from each other.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  2. ClaudiaDecember 18, 2014 at 11:55 PM

    Deaerst Mariette,
    what a lovely and interesting post!
    I love those old Newspapers ;O)
    Wishing you and Husband Pieter a wonderful and blessed 4th Advent-Weekend!
    Love and hugs,
    Claudia

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 4:55 PM

      Dearest Claudia,
      History is always interesting and it did shape what we are living today...
      This was a Dutch bi-weekly newspaper here in the USA, The Windmill Herald, that ceased to exist in June of 2012.
      Wishing you also a blessed 4th Advent weekend.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  3. Elisabeth PalzkillDecember 19, 2014 at 6:38 AM

    Liebe Mariette,

    du bringst immer interessante Posts.
    Alles Liebe
    Elisabeth

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 4:57 PM

      Liebe Elisabeth,
      Ja, so etwas ist sehr intressant weil es mitlerweilen über die ganze Welt bekannt ist und gefeiert wird.
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

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  4. smartcatDecember 19, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    Dearest Mariette,
    I am enjoying your stories of all the Santa origins and traditions. I think the reindeer came from the Night Before Christmas!
    Enjoy the season.......*s*

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 4:58 PM

      Dearest Suzi,
      It is very interesting, like you mention about the reindeer that got added, from the Night Before Christmas. So many stories that shaped our present culture!
      Hugs and enjoy this season too, stay cozy.
      Mariette

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  5. DIMIDecember 19, 2014 at 1:52 PM

    Dear Mariette,what an interesting post!
    How lovely to learn stories about Santa!
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend!Hugs!
    Dimi...

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 4:59 PM

      Dearest Dimi,
      Yes, the history about the birth of Santa Claus is a very interesting one.
      Wishing you a lovely 4th Advent weekend.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  6. Deborah MontgomeryDecember 19, 2014 at 9:57 PM

    Yes, I think it was Clement C. Moore who wrote The Night Before Christmas who was responsible for the modern-day Santa, and also political cartoonist Thomas Nast, who also invented other Santa tales, like the naughty and nice lists.
    I always liked to also tell my children about the real St. Nicholas.

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 5:02 PM

      Dearest Deborah,
      We missed the Santa part in our upbringing as we only immigrated to this nation AFTER all those Santa figures had been added to the present day culture. But history always remains interesting. Good for you for telling your children also about the real St. Nicholas and I admire your Christian way of celebrating the birth of baby Jesus at your home. Very warm and it is after all the true reason for the season!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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    2. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 5:12 PM

      For those that would love to read about Deborah's lovely Christmas morning tradition: Christmas morning coffee cake

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  7. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieDecember 19, 2014 at 10:30 PM

    So lovely that the traditions have been blended, Dear Mariette. I love the idea of the chocolate initials. Of course, I love anything chocolate :) Thinking about old traditions is so romantic. Have a lovely weekend, my Dear. Hugs xo Karen

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 5:15 PM

      Dearest Karen,
      It is a great combined melting pot of traditions indeed.
      Those chocolate initials are loved by EVERYONE! Yesterday we mailed out and delivered 62 of them... Our annual tradition of sharing something from our Dutch culture and tradition. They are available in the USA and in Canada.
      There is a lot of romance in old traditions because they are also the 'HIGHLIGHTS' from generations past...
      Hugs and happy weekend to you as well dear friend!
      Mariette

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  8. Kays KidsDecember 19, 2014 at 11:19 PM

    I hope you have a great weekend and get every thing done in time for Santa Claus.
    Hugs Kay

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 5:29 PM

      Dearest Kay,
      Well, we got all our 62 Chocolate Initials out in the mail to our extended family and special friends, or delivered yesterday... so that's about it for our Santa Claus tasks. We at home have never celebrated Santa Claus.
      Sending you hugs,
      Mariette

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  9. ziapollyDecember 20, 2014 at 3:05 AM

    Ma che post interessante Mariette, mi chiedo dove tu riesca a scovare queste "chicche". Natale oramai è alle porte....buona quarta domenica dell'avvento cara amica d'oltre Oceano. Paola

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 5:48 PM

      Cara Paola,
      Bene, come per quelle perle di saggezza, 'chicche', sono ancora dai miei articoli archiviati che è state pubblicate in un bi-settimanale giornale olandese/inglese, The Herald Windmill che cessò di esistere nel giugno del 2012. Per quanto riguarda quelle iniziali di cioccolato, possiamo ordinare qui negli Stati Uniti o in Canada. Importazione dall'Olanda e ci fanno ogni anno, ho ottenuto 62 fuori posta ieri o per consegna a mano alla nostra famiglia estesa e nostri cari amici. Volendo voi e la vostra anche una settimana Avvento quarta, molto pacifica e grata.
      Tanti baci,
      Mariette

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  10. MarianDecember 20, 2014 at 5:34 AM

    ja ja...leuk he? Santa stamt af van "onze" Sinterklaas.....
    Voor mijn laatste lingerie maaksel. de rode body Punakka, heb ik daar ook een beetje research naar gedaan, ik vind het altijd leuk om er een thema aan te geven...
    En de geschiedenis van de grote speculaaspoppen, zag ik pas op tv, een jongen gaf die inderdaad aan een meisje wat hij leuk vond, en als ze hem dan aannam, vond zij hem ook wel leuk...lovers dus :)

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 6:34 PM

      Beste Marian,
      Heb je laatste lingerie maaksel bewonderd en het is inderdaad heel erg mooi geworden; knáp werk van je!
      Jazeker, zoals ik ook al eerder schreef hier: De geschiedenis van Sinterklaas is inderdaad overgebracht naar de Nieuwe Wereld door de Nederlanders. Schreef er eerder ook een post over: {How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats} en ook hier:{Of Sint and Santa}.
      Santa stamt af van 'onze' Sinterklaas!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

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  11. biebkriebelsDecember 20, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    Leuk die verhalen die allemaal in elkaar grijpen. Mensen willen in die donkere dagen allemaal wat licht en verhalen in de duisternis.

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 6:35 PM

      Beste Marian,
      Jazeker, dat is de oorsprong van deze eeuwenoude cultuur tradities maar best leuk voor deze donkere dagen!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

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  12. Marie-AnneDecember 20, 2014 at 12:47 PM

    Dearest Mariette,
    A very nice presentation of Santa Claus' birth!!!!
    I just had two spekulaas biscuits with my coffee....I just love them!!!
    Many hugs! Have a nice Sunday!!

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 6:37 PM

      Dearest Marie-Anne,
      Thank you, it is part of history and explains why things are nowadays the way they are.
      Speculaas spices do add a very distinct flavor to those cookies! Glad you enjoyed them.
      Lots of hugs and happy 4th Advent Sunday to you!
      Mariette

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  13. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresDecember 20, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    History and traditions have a way of changing with time and as people add their own twists. Nothing stays the same, but the simpler traditions truly are the most important. Sadly, too many are now caught up in the consumerism of it all. Have a lovely day. Tammy

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 6:41 PM

      Dearest Tammy,
      You are right and history, like languages, are living and ever-evolving.
      To both of us, the simpler traditions around Saint Nicholas, now Santa Claus, are the most meaningful but you are so right that they almost get drowned out by consumerism...
      Hugs to you and yes, we still digest the warmth and love from yesterday's great Christmas celebration with dinner at our best friends with all her clinic workers. THAT is the true Christmas spirit of LOVE.
      Mariette

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  14. TamagoDecember 20, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    What an interesting post. Love that folk song. Kids must enjoy singing it around Christmas :-)

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 8:22 PM

      Dearest Tamago,
      Thank you and that folk song has been sung with such a vigor by so many children; only to please the good holy man! Of course, in order to receive some goodies...!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  15. decorayadoraDecember 20, 2014 at 6:55 PM

    hi dear Marietta !!como me gusta el folk song!!!que tengas un bonito domingo junto a los tuyos
    cariños

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    1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 20, 2014 at 7:16 PM

      Dearest Angélica,
      That song, in Dutch, has been sung so passionately by little children over the years. Fond memories.
      Wishing you also a lovely Sunday with your dear family.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...