East County Column Dec. 25, 2008

It was 200 years ago that Washington Irving first introduced Santa Claus to America. Just who is this patron saint who started his merry trek through a small parish in New York that somehow became the ultimate urban legend? The children of Oakley have the answers that might help those of us remember what the spirit of Santa and gift giving is all about.
It all started in 1809 when Irving, the author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” told the story of Saint Nicholas, also referred to as Sancte Claus. Using the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker, Irving wrote “The History of New York,” telling how Sancte Claus — pronounced Santa Claus — came riding over the tops of trees in a flying wagon bringing yearly presents to children. Just as popular lore retells, Irving had Santa smoking a pipe and placing gifts in stockings that children have hung on the chimney. And so an urban legend began, because 14 years later an anonymous poem was sent to a Troy, N.Y., newspaper titled “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” or as better known, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
In the great American melting pot of legends, that story has changed over the years, but when it comes right down to it we celebrated every Dec. 25 with gift exchanges and reading the story of Santa Claus as related through the poem sent to that little newspaper.
So who exactly is this immortal man we all call the jolly old elf? How did he become an elf anyway, because really do the Dutch believe in elves? Many questions have been asked over the years about the mysterious old chap who can withstand the cold of even the North Pole with just a silly red suit and felt cap, but the children of Oakley have no problem relaying the information we’ve wondered about for years.
For example, how does a man who is reported to have “a little round belly” and is “chubby and plump” ever make it down a chimney at all? Silly question really, at least according to four-year-old Jake Wilson, who says, “There’s a hole, then he jumps down.”
Six-year-old Elizabeth Kneer also is up on her facts. The poem does seem to say that Santa has some special powers. She says that “he’s magic and he goes down the chimney and he’s in the house.” Which would make some sense since the poem tells us that to get back up the chimney, which should really be the hard part, the jolly old elf just lays his finger aside of his nose, gives a nod, and up the chimney he rises.
Just how exactly does Santa make all those presents he brings kids every year? According to Tara Mainer, 7, “he stuffs the stuffed animals really quick and sews them up really quick.” Really, though, why go through all that trouble, according to four-year-old Michael Banderas? “He does it fast in the mall, wraps them up and delivers them when you asleep.”
What does Santa like to eat? Well duh, “cookies and milk” of course, according to four-year-old Seneca Vargas.
Thanks to the help of the kids of Oakley’s A Child’s Place, the urban legend of Santa continues. Whether you celebrate the legend of Santa or not, have a safe holiday season.