St. Nicholas: The Man Behind Santa Claus
Every December, millions of children around the world wait for Santa Claus to deliver presents. With his red suit, white beard, and flying reindeer, Santa is a beloved figure of holiday stories. However, many people do not know that this character was inspired by a real historical person: Nicholas of Myra.
Historians know that Nicholas lived more than one thousand seven hundred years ago during the time of the Roman Empire. He was born around the year 270 in Patara, a town on the Mediterranean coast of what is now the country of Turkey. As an adult, Nicholas became a Christian leader, or bishop, in the nearby city of Myra. While written records from his actual lifetime are very rare, early historians agree that Nicholas was deeply respected by his community. He was known for his strong leadership and his dedication to helping the poor and vulnerable.
- vulnerable:
- Easily hurt, in need of special care or protection.
- generosity:
- The quality of being willing to give and share freely with others.
- customs:
- Practices or traditions shared by a group of people over time.
- immigrants:
- People who move permanently from their homeland to live in another country.
- folklore:
- Traditional beliefs, myths, and stories passed down through generations.
- hardship:
- A difficult condition or struggle, such as severe trouble caused by not having enough money or basic necessities.
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Main Idea
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Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
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Purpose
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Structure
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Writing Prompts
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Who was the real historical person that inspired the character of Santa Claus?
- 2Where and approximately when was Nicholas born?
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About this biography passage for 4th Grade
“St. Nicholas: The Man Behind Santa Claus” is a biography reading passage about Saint Nicholas and the Origins of Santa Claus, written for 4th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (394 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.