[NorthStarStateConservative]

He is based on Saint Nicholaus (literally “Saint Claus “) of Turkey, who was famous for giving gifts around christmastime. He was watered down into a secular figure to make him more palatable for non xtians.

[allmendream]

Sinterklaas was celebrated by the Dutch and such and was “Christianized” by calling him Saint Nicholas because the celebration fell near the same day (6th December).

The entire “Yule” celebration would be immediately recognizable to the modern eye as “Christmas”, in pre-Christian Europe.

My point is that Santa Clause has, at best, a tenuous link to Christianity, if it is not, in fact, a rationalization after the fact (What pagan Sinterklaas? He was a Christian saint, in.... Turkey.... yeah that is the ticket!).