Known throughout the world by different names, the Santa Claus character that we know today has been shaped over many centuries. In fact, it was not until the late nineteenth century that Santa resembled today’s depiction of the jolly old elf. The earliest influences on the shaping of Santa stem back to several legends and figures in ancient Europe. Thousands of years before the time of Christ, Odin pranced through the Scandinavian midwinter skies on his horse Sleipnir bringing tidings of great joy, sometimes rewards, and oftentimes punishment to expectant Viking children. His son Thor was known to drive a chariot pulled across the skies by two goats. Dressed in his blood-red winter attire, Thor fought off the gods of the ice and snow, conquering the deep chill of winter with his hot lightning bolts.
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