It was around 280 A.D., somewhere in modern-day Turkey, that legend of a jolly gift-giver named Santa Claus began.
He was known as St. Nicholas; a wealthy Christian who donated his inheritance to the needy and sick people of Patara. This - along with stories of how he saved women from slavery, protected countless children, and grew concerned of the safety of sailors - led to St. Nicholas being named Bishop of Myra at a very young age.
The anniversary of his death in Dec. 6, 343 A.D. grew to be a celebration across Europe, especially in Holland where his story is essential part to a Dutch Christmas.
To children of the Netherlands, Santa Claus is known as Sinterklaas. Much like his Arctic counterpart, Sinterklaas knows the difference between naughty and nice kids, and he isn't above taking a cookie or two.
The difference is in who help distribute presents. Santa has elves. Sinterklaas has Zwarte Piet, a black servant who remains a controversial figure in European culture.
Sinterklaas has always had a black servant commonly thought to be a Moor, a term for Muslims or those from African descent. He would by carrying a bag of candy for good children and a chimney sweep's broom for bad ones. The name Zwarte Piet didn't catch on until the early 1920s after a picture book called "Van Sinterklaas en Pieterbaas" was released. Zwarte was added because it translates to black in Dutch.
Zwarte Piet's image softened over time as people pointed out the negative racial stereotype. He was portrayed as a character in black-face as time went on, later being described as someone with black chimney soot all over their face.
Still, Zwarte Piet remains a prominent figure in the Dutch Christmas, one synonymous with Sinterklaas.
Memorable Christmas quotes and sayings
"Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little more..." - Dr. Seuss, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas time." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live." - George Carlin
"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simples things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness." - Bob Hope
"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection." - Winston Churchill
"Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace." - Pope Francis
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." - Charles Dickens
"I stopped believing in Santa when I was six. Mother took me to a department store and he asked for my autograph." - Shirley Temple
"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessing, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white" - Bing Crosby
"Mankind is a great, an immense family...This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas." - Pope John XXIII
"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day." - Phyllis Diller
"Moving between the legs of tables and of chairs, rising or falling, grasping at kisses and toys, advancing boldly, sudden to take alarm, retreating to the corner of arm and knee, eager to be reassured, taking pleasure in the fragrant brilliance of the Christmas tree." - T.S. Eliot
"Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling." - Edna Ferber
"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone." - Charles M. Schulz