What is the evolution of Santa Claus?

Answer 1

Santa Claus is a wholly American derivative of the Christian St. Nicholas- who was actually what we would now call Russian Orthodox. The feast of St. Nick is celebrated on December 6, strictly speaking , he is not even in Advent, let alone Christmas. this fact of course is ignored or suppressed by Clausists. Coca-Cola played up the Red and White costume and Santa has been used by countless advertisers including those for Adult style vices as Gambling ( special $5.00 lottery tickets- Just Five Bucks- with Reindeer at the ready in a yule-2002 bus-side poster) cigarettes, and arguably Alcoholic Beverages. A fall from Grace indeed. Saints preserve us!