UAE | General
Story of the real Father Christmas dates back to the fourth century
While walking into shopping malls, hotels and public places in Dubai, one is awestruck by hanging glitter balls, shiny decorations and tucked somewhere in the corner, a life-size tree reeling under decorations.
- By Joyce Njeri, Copy Editor
- Published: 23:36 December 22, 2008
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Dubai: While walking into shopping malls, hotels and public places in Dubai, one is awestruck by hanging glitter balls, shiny decorations and tucked somewhere in the corner, a life-size tree reeling under decorations.
Another glimpse to the left or right and there stands a tall plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots, his eyes peering through a thin pair of spectacles. This image has became popular with children all over.
Simply put, Santa Claus is Father Christmas - a grandfatherly figure known for his legendary generosity. But despite his well-known attributes, this character actually has a long rich history.
Gifts
Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch word Sinter Klass, which in turn means St Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a fourth-century priest from Myra, in modern-day Turkey. He was known for his generosity, as he would give peasants some gifts during the night and in secret, out of humility. Many tales and myths surround the story of this man.
But the popular one is that Saint Nicholas climbed onto the roofs of people's houses and dropped gifts down the chimney. These landed in the socks that were hanging by the fire to dry, explaining today's tradition of Christmas stockings, and hence the story of Santa.
- For more information about Christmas and where to celebrate, see tabloid!
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