History of the Gift Giver:
There are many legends that have grown up around the Santa Claus persona. Many countries either have their own legend or have adopted other countries legends into their own mythos. Father Christmas is the principle gift giver for much of southern and western Europe. He is considered the embodiment of the Christmas Feast which in its pagan form was the winter feast. But today Father Christmas is usually synonymous with Santa Claus.

Saint Nicholas was an early Christian from an area that is today part of Turkey. He was made Bishop of Myra at a relatively young age and was known for his good works and charity. Being a Bishop he wore the red robes of a Bishop with the white collar, which seems to have been somewhat of the basics for the current red and white outfit similar to the Red Plush Santa Suit that Santa Claus wears today.

Christkind which means Christ Child in Germany, is pronounced kristkint. This also appears to be where the name Kris Kringle comes from, a mispronunciation of Christkind. Martin Luther in an attempt to discourage people from using Saint Nicholas as the gift giver at Christmas time encouraged the use of the Christ Child as a reference to the baby Jesus. Ironically the use eventually became adopted by the Catholic church, even as it was slowly being replaced with Father Christmas.

Santa Claus in the Modern World:
Santa today has become the advertising spokesman for Christmas! In some non Christian countries it is merely a commercial holiday, not just for spending time helping others and sharing but purely for the commercialization of it. Its time to remember what the event is that this holiday is all about. The wise men didnt stop off at Walmart on their way to visit the infant Christ, nor did they endorse a Ford camel over a Chevy camel for the smoothest ride across the desert. They went to see the Savior and Redeemer of the world.