Merry Christmas from Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Frisco
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without our beloved Santa Claus – red suit, bushy white beard, shiny black boots, all the works! The modern American Santa Claus that we know and love actually originated in the Mediterranean, spread across Northern Europe, and eventually ended up here. But who exactly is Santa and how did he get here?
Who Is Santa Claus?
Santa’s original ancestor was St. Nicholas. Although he looked nothing like the Santa Claus whose knee we sit upon, or whose visage adorns our holiday wrapping paper. St. Nicholas was a Greek bishop who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries. He was known as a feisty, defiant, and fiery defender of the church’s doctrine during the period of the ‘Great Persecution’ (when Bibles were burned and priests were forced to deny Christianity under the threat of execution).
From the years 1200-1500, St. Nicholas was known as a bringer of gifts and had his own day dedicated to him. This day was December 6th.
Eventually, people from the Netherlands brought St. Nicholas (whom they called “Sinterklaas”) to the New World colonies. Here, the legend of him as a gift bringer gained popularity. However, the Christmas celebration in early American wasn’t quite like it is today. It was celebrated as a rowdy, outdoor, alcohol-fueled blowout!
Luckily, this all changed in the early 19th century thanks to a few writers and poets who wanted to make Christmas more of a family celebration. This is when St. Nicholas got a bit of a makeover and by the end of the 19th century, he was transformed into the Santa Claus we know today.
From all of us at Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we want to wish you a healthy and happy holiday season! Keep our Frisco, TX pediatric dental office in mind next time your family is due for a dental cleaning and exam.
If you would like to learn more about pediatric dental care not covered in our dental topics from Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, please complete an online appointment request or phone 469-365-5437.
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