Technically Santa Claus is not a myth as he is modled after the famous 4th century Bishop of Myra now known as St. Nicholas. The American name for him, Santa Claus, comes from the Dutch pronounciation of St. Nicholas which is Sinterklaas.

The real St. Nicholas was a kind and generous man who inherited a fortune and used that fortune to help those who were less fortunate. Like other saints and great people he helped the poor but his generosity extended to anyone in need including dropping a bag of gold down the chimney of a rich merchant named Demetri who had fallen on hard times and lacked the money needed for his daughter's dowry. Demetri had two other daughters and Nicholas provided gold for their dowries in the same way. The story of St. Nicholas and the Merchant's Daughters is a classic which shows the kindness and generosity of this saint.

Following Nicholas's death people remembered and continued to honor him and there are many stories of this saint continuing to watch over and aid children, women, bankers, thieves and other unfortunates who needed help and guidance.

Recognizing his goodness, the Catholic Church declared him a saint and for over a thousand years has celebrated his feast day on December 6th. Down through the ages St. Nicholas Day has been celebrated with partying and the leaving of gifts, in the name of St. Nicholas, in the night for children as they slept just as the real Nicholas of Myra seceretly dropped the bags of gold down the chimney of the home of the merchant Demetri in the night for his daughters.

Because of the closeness of St. Nicholas Day to Christmas and changing customs through the ages, St. Nicholas was gradually pushed over to Christmas and became a part of Christmas.

Santa Claus / St. Nicholas was a real person and his kind acts were real. Not only was he real, he was also a follower of Jesus Christ and, as a bishop in the Catholic Church was part of the line of bishops that Christ started with his laying of hands on St. Peter making him the first bishop and instructing him to continue the tradition and build the church.

When people fill the stockings of their sleeping children and leave gifts for the children under the tree in the name of Santa Claus they are merely continuing the memory of this great and kind man. The gift giving is also a continuation of the actions of the sheppards and three Wise Men (Magi) from the east who brought gifts to the infant Jesus on that first Christmas when he was born.

Santa Claus is true and the truth of his existance is demonstrated every year at Christmas when parents and others emulate his love and kindness by their own acts of loving kindness.