He needs no introduction, this jovial Christmas figure is familiar to all in one form or another. More regularly known as Father Christmas in Europe, almost every country has its own take on the myth, from the Dutch Sinterklaas to the Finnish Joulupukki. Not forgetting Santa’s evil twin Krampus. And of course there is always St. Nicholas for those feeling religiously inclined.

From his home at the North Pole (or Sápmi) Santa’s elves (or to be more accurate, gnomes) toil endlessly to replicate the latest in toys whilst he sits at his laptop and consults his modern oracles to see who has been naughty or nice. Must be a whole lot easier these days when he can just check Facebook. Is PROJECT SANTA some secret initiative of the NSA?

We are not completely sure how he gets around the world in one night so fast, but numerous organisations seem to be able to track him, so he must surely be managing it somehow.

Whether you are a believer in the jolly gift-giver or not, leave out a mince pie this Yuletide in recognition of one of humanity’s oldest — and most modern — legends.

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Article last revised on May 31, 2019 by the Godchecker data dwarves.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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