Santa is a nice parable. The classic story isn’t quite up to gospel, because Jesus came to help us, not beat us down, when we were, well, naughty. Some other countries’ Santa-like traditions have an evil figure doling out the punishment, which is closer to the gospel spirit. America, living on the idea of its own merit, came up with the naughty/nice Santa Claus.
Santa Claus is a fictional character who is based partially on a real life person, St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a Catholic bishop who did have a white beard and loved children during a time when few other people did. The Roman Catholic Church has named him the patron saint of children.