{"id":453,"date":"2016-10-29T15:43:01","date_gmt":"2016-10-29T22:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christmasessentials.net\/?p=453"},"modified":"2023-11-15T15:43:34","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T23:43:34","slug":"christmas-trivia-the-shocking-truth-about-christmas-and-santa-claus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christmasessentials.net\/christmas-trivia-the-shocking-truth-about-christmas-and-santa-claus\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Trivia: The Shocking Truth About Christmas and Santa Claus!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Christmas is one of the most popular holidays and is celebrated around the world by Christians and non-Christians alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Although Christmas traditions vary from country to country<\/a>, many are remarkably similar. For example, a beloved figure that gives out gifts appears in almost every single culture that celebrates Christmas. Sounds familiar, right? It turns out Santa Claus appears in many different guises, who knew! Impress your family this holiday with our Christmas trivia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is Santa Claus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The legend of St. Nicholas<\/a>, otherwise known as Santa Claus, dates back centuries to the town of Myra (located in modern day Turkey), where Bishop Sinter Klaas was known for his generosity, especially towards children and the poor. According to Dutch legend, St. Nicholas would bring gifts at Christmastime by slipping in an open window or coming down the chimney. Thus, the tradition was born!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unidentified flying\u2026sleigh?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a delightful blend of modern technology and festive spirit, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) engages in an annual tradition of “tracking” Santa Claus. At precisely 5:00 a.m. MST on December 24th, NORAD operators begin their whimsical vigil, monitoring their screens for the signature blip of Santa\u2019s sleigh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using an elaborate network of radar and satellites, NORAD playfully reports Santa\u2019s location in real-time on the Internet, much to the delight of eager children awaiting his arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Come on\u2026does Santa really exist?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course he does, in fact he lives in Rovaniemi, Finland! Don\u2019t believe it? Visit Santa\u2019s workshop for yourself and see the elves hard at work building toys for the holidays. Santa\u2019s Village is located in the Finnish Lapland on the Article Circle, one of the coldest places on earth and certainly suitable for Santa\u2019s North Pole address \u2014 brrrrr!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Global Faces of Santa Claus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the snowy landscapes of Finland to the desert climes of Syria, the essence of Santa is reimagined through various cultural lenses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n