Merry Christmas Danny

Illustration of Santa's head on a green background on a white background with black text

Saint Nicholas was a monk who was born in the 3rd century in modern-day Turkey. He was said to have given away all his inherited wealth to the poor and sick as he traveled. Over the years he became the patron saint of children, and was celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6. The name Santa Claus evolved out of the Dutch nickname for Saint Nicholas, “Sinter Klass.” Short stories and poems in the 1800s began to popularize his magical image of how we picture him today.

The first known usage of the greeting “Merry Christmas” dates back to a letter written in the 1500s from a bishop to England’s Chief Minister. However, the phrase gained popularity in 1843 with the publication of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in which Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew wishes him  “A Merry Christmas, uncle!” Also, it was around this same time that Christmas cards began to be sold in London with the now popular greeting, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.”