Santa Claus being associated with Christmas

[Nelson]

Okay, So I was awake last night, and was listening to talkback radio, and a Muslim guy rang up and made a valid point."Why is "Santa Claus" associated with the Christian celebration of Christmas?, He isn't mentioned anywhere in the Bible, so why do people associate him with Christmas, which is meant to be the celebration of the birth of Christ, And why do people put up Trees and decorations, these kind of have no significance to the Birth of Christ"
(That is off the radio transcript, freely downloadable)
So, whats your opinion, should we associate Santa Claus with Christmas?
(Personally, I'm not religious, I don't celebrate Christmas anymore, and I don't celebrate easter, and Easter has the same problem, The "Easter Bunny" isn't mentioned in the bible..)

[Sith Lord 13]

Santa Claus is descendant from St. Nicholas, hence the connection with Christmas. The evergreen tree, etc, have sundry religious meanings I can't recall atm and cba to go look up.

[Zazu]

To push consumerism and commercial ideals.

It's a good way to 'fantasise' Christmas for kids, to make them 'want' presents from 'Santa' ergo making parents buy shit. It's a good old advertising tool also. Not normally directly used but they love it because like I said it makes people buy stuff.

As Alex mentioned, there are also some back links to Christianity.

[steve1234]

As Sith Lord 13 says, it is because of the links to Christianity.

I'm Athiest, but Christmas is still one of my favourite times of the year. Maybe I sound like a hypocrite, but I don't celebrate the religious side of things, more the 'modern' commercialised Christmas. Same goes for Easter...I still like to have Easter eggs :D

Although Santa does originate from St. Nick, Santa has evolved into representing the commercialised Christmas...same goes for the Easter Bunny.

[Syvelocin]

^ I'm the same way. For me, Christmas isn't Jesus and angels and that stuff. It's snow, fir trees, wreathes, candy canes, etc. I don't celebrate Easter at all though, and my Christmas "at home" is usually on the solstice because it's a holiday I celebrate and an excuse to have the tree and the presents without the churchgoers preaching to me about how amazing Jesus is.

[nick]

St Nicholas was Bishop of Myra in the 3rd Century AD. There are many stories associated with him and there is also a marvellous choral work by Benjamin Britten telling his life story.

You can read about how his legend developed here (http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=35)

[nybabygirl]

well Santa Claus comes from St. Nicholas, who brought gifts to children. The red suit and big belly came from the coca-cola commercial. Honestly, if you believe in Christmas for the right reasons, then Santa Claus is part of that. I don't think houses should be bursting with gifts or anything. It's a way to get the family together. I understand that it's a fun thought, but I think people should know the real story as well. Just knowing about a fat man in a red suit that magically flies through the sky isn't exactly following religion lol.

[Korashk]

I'm pretty sure nothing at all about Christmas is mentioned in the Bible, so...

[mrmcdonaldduck]

Santa Claus is descendant from St. Nicholas, hence the connection with Christmas. The evergreen tree, etc, have sundry religious meanings I can't recall atm and cba to go look up.

The tree story is of a missionary in Germany preaching to the tribes there. Apparently, they where performing a sacrifice that involved killing children over a tree stump, i think it was a leave dropping tree, cant remember exactly. He stepped in and stopped it, they where going to kill him, but a pine tree had grown out of the stump, supposedly representing gods never ending love for humans, being evergreen.

Don't quote me on that, I'm not 100% sure.

[chazzrox2]

To push consumerism and commercial ideals.

It's a good way to 'fantasise' Christmas for kids, to make them 'want' presents from 'Santa' ergo making parents buy shit. It's a good old advertising tool also. Not normally directly used but they love it because like I said it makes people buy stuff.

As Alex mentioned, there are also some back links to Christianity.

You talk about consumeralism and commercial ideas which, yes, is basically all shops are looking to do. But the idea of buying and giving presents, thinking of other people and doing something to make them happy, celebrating with family and friends...Isn't that one of the fundamental aspects of most religions? To make other people happy.
Even sikhism and islam celebrate this holiday as the birth of Jesus and many do this by the giving of gifts.

Here's an articale i thought helped my point:

Colombia army gives Farc rebels early Christmas gift

Christmas lights like these in Bogota were taken to the heart of the rebel-controlled jungle.The Colombian army says it has installed a giant Christmas tree in Farc rebel territory, to encourage guerrilla fighters to demobilize.

Special forces infiltrated the remote Macarena mountain range to dress a 25m (82ft) high tree with 2,000 lights.

Movement sensors will make the tree light up when guerrillas approach.

The army says it will put up trees in nine other rebel-held zones to spread the message that Christmas is a good time to abandon armed struggle.

Full story here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12025086)

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I'm pretty sure nothing at all about Christmas is mentioned in the Bible, so...

If I recall correctly Christmas was only invented to get pagans to convert to Christianity since many pagans celebrated festivals in the winter.

[Jacob H.]

i just want to say that santa clause is a completely commercial figure.

he was green and brown, before coca cola that is.

and your correct, christmas was just placed right next to the winter equinox or whatever celebration, to attracted pagans to christianity

[Dunce]

St Nicholas(Santa) was known for secret gift giving. Why at Christmas? Well I'm guessing the whole thing of christmas is about being thankful and having good will, hence giving to the people you care about.

[DarkHorses]

In my opinion it's a way to make Christmas a holiday for everyone, not just for Christians, which I don't look at as a bad thing. I think that people should be allowed to celebrate Christmas even if they're not Christian, and it's their choice to view Christmas however they want to. If for them it's about gifts and Santa Clause, no one should tell them it's wrong to believe that.

[TDjinN95]

"Why is "Santa Claus" associated with the Christian celebration of Christmas?, He isn't mentioned anywhere in the Bible, so why do people associate him with Christmas, which is meant to be the celebration of the birth of Christ, And why do people put up Trees and decorations, these kind of have no significance to the Birth of Christ"

Why is terrorism associated with Islam?

[Sith Lord 13]

If I recall correctly Christmas was only invented to get pagans to convert to Christianity since many pagans celebrated festivals in the winter.

Not quite, but it is most likely why Christmas is celebrated in December as opposed to some time in the spring (when Jesus was most likely to have been born)

[haha123for]

Uhh, to be honest, I don't see how people can say Christmas isn't about Jesus, if is has his name in the Holidays name, but oh well? I believe that Santa is simply a commercial figure used to enlighten the spirit of this "joyous" holiday. Why the hell should people take a fat old guy in a red suit flying reindeer so seriously, I mean come on people! I just think, why shouldn't we associate Santa to Christmas? I mean, everyone finds out the truth sooner or later, so let the kiddies believe and don't take the magic of Christmas away. -___-

[Church]

Santa Claus doesnt have much to do with Jesus but a lot of things associated with Christmas do have Christian based symbols. Such as the Star on top of the tree represent the star the 3 Wise Men followed to Jesus. The tree represents everlasting life, the wreath represents never ending love of Jesus. etc etc.

Santa can find its origins in Germany and America adopted it. He has no basis in the Bible etc, but then again, why does it matter? It's part of American culture.

[SwimTech]

Santa is NOT just related to christians. I know a TON of people who arent christian or dont have a religion and still celebrate christmas. However, remember the 3 wise men that brought the gifts to Jesus? Its part of AMERICA-LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT. Santa is a part of AMERICAN childhood. You dont see the Jews questioning the christmas religion, or the mexicans, or the irish. When the immigrants came in the 1880s and 1900s, they learned ENGLISH, GOT A JOB, and adapted to OUR CULTURE. now, the arabs and mexicans, and every other race basically today are trying to put themselves on top and change our country. Santa and christmas isnt just part of a religion here, its part of culture