The legend of Santa Claus evolved over several centuries. When immigrants began coming to America, they began bringing various versions of Santa Claus and Christmas traditions with them. As these diverse cultures began to merge in new communities, these ethnic Christmas traditions began to take even new forms.

On Christmas December 1823, an unknown American poet named Clement Moore published his version of the Christmas story entitled ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. This poem was published in newspapers all across America and changed the way the world pictured Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas was the Catholic Patron Saint of children. So, many of our ancestors saw Santa Claus (a derivative of the old world name Saint Nicholas), dressed as a Catholic Bishop, all dressed in a red robe with Cardinal’s exalted hat. But never before had any culture associated Santa Claus with a sleigh or reindeer. The affect Moore had on American culture was profound.

Likewise, the Holy Bible has changed many lives around the world. Its stories have formed our perception of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Let’s allow God’s word to reform our image of God.