Saint nick

See how the great man has morphed from Nikolaos the wonder-worker in the fourth century to the jolly man in red we know and love today ... get ready for frescoes, stick-em-ups and Norman Rockwell

Bad Santa, Naughty

With what little we know about St. Nicholas, it is safe to say he would not be pleased to know he had eclipsed Christ in the hearts of many as the central figure of Christmas.

The Coca-Cola Santa Claus artwork from 1951 shows Santa reading a list of good boys and girls; there is no list of bad children. www2.coca-cola.com/presscenter/imagegallery.html

Bari is home to the bones and relics of St. Nicholas — AKA Santa Claus, Babbo Natale, Father Christmas

St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of Children. He gave his inherited wealth away helping the poor and sick. It is said that he saved 3 poor sisters from being sold into slavery by dropping a dowry down the chimney that fell into a stocking hanging to dry on the mantle.

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Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, or Kris Kringle) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve/December 24. He flies on his sleigh with reindeers and comes down the chimney to bring presents to children when they are asleep on Christmas Eve, usually on the early hours of Christmas Day. Santa Claus will only come to children's rooms if they are fast…