Here is a free colouring-in picture for children of a Santa / Father Christmas / St Nicholas figure of years long past. Please note, that below are only thumbnails, you must click
on the picture to see the full size, free Santa Picture.
St Nicholas was a bishop in Asia minor in
Myra in the 4th century. History suggests he was a charitable, kindly
man, although little is known about him. With time he became the
patron saint of many people including the patron saint of children. He
became linked to the giving of gifts for good actions in the 1200s and the
withdrawal of favours for bad actions hence the idea that St. Nick could
tell if you'd been bad and would reward or not, good or evil accordingly.
This gift bearer name was changed/merged in
the late Victorian era around 1870 to Santa Claus and there is also some
association with a similar gift bearer found in literature and called Kriss
Kringle. Saint Nicholas was recognised as the bearer of gifts and so
Santa Claus became that same gift bringer. Another name used was that
of Father Christmas. As mass produced goods became more available
Christmas slowly gained commercial momentum. The emergence of Father
Christmas was a peculiarly British concept. He was also aligned to the
then comparatively subtle mass advertising compared to today that suggested
a jolly friendly tubby person was connected to the bringing of gifts.
Older Pictures of Father Christmas Wearing Blue
or Green Robes
Dependant on the country, gifts to celebrate Christmas are given as early as 5 December and as late as Twelfth Night, which marks the end of Epiphany's on 6 January. The wealthy also gave boxes of gifts to
servants and the less well off on the day after Christmas Day. The 26th
December once celebrated as St. Stephen's Day then became known as Boxing
Day. Every day of Epiphany merited a present in times of old and
this custom is recognized in the carol the Twelve days of Christmas.
»
Other Names for Father Christmas / Santa Claus
While the Americans introduced the name Santa Claus in the 19th century, other
countries also have names for this famous Christmas character, Saint
Nicholas or San Nicolás, Père Noël, Papa Noel, Babbo Natale, Papai Noel, and
Kris Kringle.
See funny Father Christmas pictures.
The jolly robust icon of Santa Claus dressed
in red that we know today, really was an advertisement marketing invention
of Coca Cola. Mid Victorian Santa pictures are easily
recognisable by children today, but some of the older pictures show Santa or
more correctly St. Nicholas in green or blue robes.
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