The origins of Santa Claus

Santa Claus

Did you know that…

• Because of the rotation of the earth and the different time zones, Santa actually has 31 hours to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve if he travels east to west.
• Santa has 2 two Christmas Eves to deliver toys. The Eastern Orthodox churches do not recognize the Gregorian correction to the Julian calendar for liturgical events and they celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6th.
• In Poland St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on the December 6th, this is a day when St. Nicolas, gives all the children in Poland gifts.
• Santa Only delivers gifts to children who believe in him: so approx 50-55% of the world's children who fall in various Christian sects as well as the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children would not be on Santa's list. 
• Santa Claus is known by many names around the world: Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Julenissen, Ded Moroz, Papai Noel, Babbo Natale, Pere Noel, Weihnachtsmann and Kris Kringle.

The origins of Santa Claus

The 4th century Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (present day Turkey) was a generous man particularly devoted to children. His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims he that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased.

St. Nicholas became the Belgium Patron Saint of children and travelers, he also became the Patron Saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape and flowing white beard. St. Nicholas is prominent in Russian Orthodox liturgy and Thursday prayers are dedicated to him as a Miracle Worker.

Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and in the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas (Nikolaustag) was (and still is in Poland) celebrated on December 6. The day was marked by gift giving and charity.

After the Protestant Reformation (circa 1517), European followers of St. Nicholas declined, except in the Scandinavian Countries. In Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed into Sinterklaas. The Dutch children left their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward the well behaved children by placing treats in their shoes.

The  Dutch colonists brought the traditions of the Feast of St. Nicholas with them to America in the 17th century, where the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.

The figure of Santa Claus as a jolly, plump man in a red suit described in Clement C. Moore's 1822 poem 'A Visit From Saint Nicholas' (published as The Night Before Christmas) remains recognized today by children and adults alike around the world:
"He had a broad face and a little round belly" and  "He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf".





Legend of Krampus

Marvel Experience: Produced by Hero Ventures coming to Arizona

The Marvel Experience

As deputized agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division), participants will join Marvel's Mightiest Heroes (more than 20+ Marvel characters, including Black Widow, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and Spider-Man) to save the world from Hydra, Red Skull, M.O.D.O.K. and the evil Adaptoids.

The Marvel Experience will encompass 7 domes spread across 3 acres and your progress tracked by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), everyone who enters the facility is given a Super Power Band that will track their progress.

Features include a 360-degree 3-D projection Dome, Spider-Man Climbing Wall, Holo-Blaster Training Simulator and a state-of-the-art 4-D motion ride. Also a life-size Avengers Quinjet. You’ll feel like you're bypassing alarm systems like Black Widow, climbing like Spider-Man, smashing like Hulk, and flying like Iron Man in this hyper-reality as you face the forces of Hydra.

The Marvel universe is responsible for some of the biggest box-office hits: Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America, X-Men and The Amazing Spider-Man and now you can join the action.

It incorporates interactive technology; including augmented reality, multi-person gaming and RFID tracking, which allows guests to see themselves in action. The dome has 14 double-stacked projectors and you'll be in the middle of the 3-D experience, coming at you from all sides.

It will take approx 4-6 hours to take in the entire Experience, which ends with the 4-D motion ride. These are fully articulated seats like you would find at Universal Studios or Disneyland.

Arizona was chosen to kick off the tour because of weather and the proximity to the equipment and production companies that are based in Vegas and Los Angeles.

The Marvel Experience: Produced by Hero Ventures

• The tour will stop at 14 + cities over 2015.
• Assemble your own Groups of 15 or more and you can save 10% on all tickets.
• 2 for 1 military discount tickets at booth.
• The walk through experience, standing theaters and motion ride are all general admission, no seating assignments.
• Tickets will be available on-site at the Dome Box Office during operating hours throughout the tour or online via Ticket Master.
• Cameras are welcome! But flash photography is prohibited.
• The Experience is mostly a walking and standing adventure, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• $10 parking fee
• No strollers admitted
• 40 inch height requirement for the 4D ride, kids and pregnant women are seated in fold chairs at the front.
• Spider-man climbing wall has a 50LBS weight minimum.

Arizona Dates: Friday, December 19, 2014 through Saturday, January 3, 2015
Time: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Location: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N Pima Rd in Scottsdale, AZ

My Marvel Experience review

Other tour dates / cities:
Dallas , TX - January 15th - February 1st 2015
Del Mar, CA - February 7th - February 22nd 2015
San Francisco, CA - February 27th - March 22nd

The Marvel Experience.

Buy comic books

2015 Arizona Renaissance Faire

  King Henry invites you to the 2015 Arizona Renaissance Festival

Join for the 27th season, and be taken on a magical tour through time and legend. As you wander down the medieval village streets of the Arizona Renaissance Festival, ready thyself to revel with master revelers, watch artisans create original works of their ancient craft and be taken in by the  aroma of roast turkey legs and much more.

Featuring a cast of hundreds of authentically costumed merrymakers working throughout the village and performing upon the Festival's 13 stages. A rollicking 16th Century village for a day of family festivities. Impromptu encounters with the royalty of Tudor England and peasants, becoming part of the show is commonplace.

You'll meet all kinds, from jousters to jesters and minstrels to fair maidens: all talented in the art of interactive theatre! New entertainment by Fireflicker has been summoned by King Henry for this glorious season. Enjoy family fun for children and magical times for adults for eight special weekends in February through March 2015.

For more information on tickets, vendors, food, hours and entertainment visit my other Arizona Renaissance Faire posts. Also see the new menu for the Pleasure Feast.

Games of skill!

Test your skill at the Faire's many games: archery, storming the castle in a paintball battle, or throw a tomato at an insulting peasant. For those in the mood for an extreme challenge you can test your ability at the Climbing Tower or show your battle readiness by throwing a battle axe.

Notable Event Dates

February 7th & 8th: Opening Weekend - Let the Revelry Begin!
February 14th, 15th & 16th: Renaissance & Romance
February 28th & March 1st: Pirate Invasion
March 14th & 15th: Celtic Weekend
March 28th & 29th: Final Huzzah