[xg15]

> Martin Luther didn't like how saints were praised and tried to convince people to pray to Christ instead of Saint Nicolas. Which then Catholic reaches formed to the Christkind.

#maliciouscompliance

But really, that's interesting! I didn't know Luther was the origin of this. Even more, it's almost a Christmas ritual of its own to discuss whether the presents are brought by Santa or the Christkind, etc. Wasn't aware that those tongue-in-cheek discussions have traces of the actual Catholic/Protestant conflict in them.

> (And then later Coca Cola took over spreading Santa Clause in their style)

Oh yeah, forgot the Nikolaus/Weihnachtsmann duality, which I think was an attempt by the church to get their saint back from the clutches of Coca Cola/pop culture. I guess they succeeded partially, because now we have both of them as separate characters.

[johannes1234321]

The Weihnachtsmann giving presents on 24th/25th is a lot older than Coca Cola and a combination of many traditions, but yes, the English name Santa Claus came via Dutch Sinterclaas to the U.S., while originating from Saint Nicholas, who is celebrated Dec 6th.

While the Saint Nicholas celebration with Krampus etc. also integrated pre-Christian traditions.