What is the origin of the story of Santa Claus / Saint Nick?
My great grandmother told me St.Nicholas is the patron saint of children. He brings gifts to good children who have been faithful, chaitable, and prayerful. He gives gifts in this life to remind us of the gift of salvation we recieve. He wears red to remind us of the blood Christ has shed for us. He is accompanied by Black Peter, a demon in chains. Black Peter is a demonic equivelent of St. Peter, to whom Christ gave the keys to the kingdom and entrusted to build his church. Saint Nick cannot warn bad children because it is the job of parents and the church. He impresses Black Peter to give out coal or switches to the bad children as a warning to children who are ungrateful, petty, and do not pray. It is said Black Peter escapes from hell on All Souls Day, and with his magic box he sucks the souls out of bad children, who have been warned, leaving only a shell without a soul. He directs these ghouls to do evil in the world, the devil’s work. If you get switches or a lump of coal, shape
