The first Europeans to arrive in the New World brought St. Nicholas. Vikings dedicated their cathedral to him in Greenland. On his first voyage, Columbus named a Haitian port for St. Nicholas on December 6, 1492. In Florida, Spaniards named an early settlement St. Nicholas Ferry, now known as Jacksonville. However, St. Nicholas had a difficult time during the 16th century Protestant Reformation, which took a dim view of saints. Even though both reformers and counter-reformers tried to stamp out St. Nicholas-related customs, they had very little long-term success; only in England were the religious folk traditions of Christmas permanently altered. (It is ironic
that fervent Puritan Christians began what turned into a trend to a more secular Christmas observance.) Because the common people so loved St. Nicholas, he survived on the European continent as people continued to place nuts, apples, and sweets in shoes left beside beds, on windowsills, or before the hearth.

Colonists came to America after the Reformation in the 1500s. They were primarily Puritans and other Protestant reformers who did not bring Nicholas traditions to the New World. The Dutch did bring St. Nicholas to New Amsterdam, scholars find limited evidence of such traditions in Dutch New Netherlands. Colonial Germans in Pennsylvania held the feast of St. Nicholas,
and several accounts do have St. Nicholas visiting New York Dutch on New Years' Eve.
Santa Clause has been portrayed through out the years in many different ways, some times as a stately figure, a religious priest, or sometimes an impish elf, to finally the modern version of a chubby old man with white hair and beard, dressed from head to toe in a red suit with white trim,
along with black boots, accompanied by his eight tiny reindeer, who pulls his sleigh full of toys.
I believe there is a little Santa Clause in each and every one of us, even if we won't admit it, we love the magic that Santa Clause represents.

The next time you see the Salvation Army Bell Ringers throw in a few dollars, Or when passing a Make A Wish Tree, take the time to STOP and pick out a child's name and buy a gift, or donate to the Toy and Joy, give a few dollars or a blanket or coat, or what ever you can give, to the Homeless shelter.

If you feel that you cannot afford to donate money or material things, how about your time? It is worth more than any amount of money to many lonely people, go to a local nursing home, take a few minutes and visit those who are in need of a little attention and conversation. It would be a gift to you as well.