                                                                       
The Christmas Story


  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all
the world should be taxed. 

  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 

  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out
of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because
he was of the house and lineage of David) 

  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 

  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn. 

  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night. 
 
  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them; and they were sore afraid. 

  And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. 

  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 

  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger.

  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men






The History of Santa Claus




Santa Claus has been called by several different names throughout the years. The original tradition and legend of Santa Claus may have been based on the early Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, originating in the 1600's. 
Santa Claus really started to get famous when American author Washington Irving published stories about Santa Claus, referring to him as Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas arrived on Christmas Eve bringing presents for children.
Santa Claus changed and became more famous when writer Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem in 1823 about a Christmas Eve visit from Saint Nicholas, better known as "The Night Before Christmas" (listed below). Millions of children now could have a consistent description of Santa Claus and his eight flying reindeer.
Santa Claus is Popular!
American magazines picked up on the popularity of Santa Claus, and many different versions of Santa Claus were published over the next 50 years. Santa Claus even began to appear in advertisements for popular products.
The most famous reindeer, red nosed Rudolph started to appear in the late 1930's.
Santa Claus, Rudolph, and the other reindeer would get periodic boosts in popularity when songs, stories, movies, or videos were released about them. Some of the more significant of there were:
Santa Claus is coming to Town
Jolly old St. Nick
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 
Grandma got run over by a Reindeer
Around the world, Santa Claus is known as:
English - Kris Kringle
Dutch - Saint Nikolaas
Italy - Bobouschka
Germany – Befana






