[Joe Dallas]

“A black Santa? Isn’t that cultural appropriation?”

Had Santa Claus been an historical figure, yes.

But since there is no historical evidence of a fat white man wearing a red suit while flying in a sleigh giving children gifts, no.

[Maceman]

Had Santa Claus been an historical figure, yes. But since there is no historical evidence of a fat white man wearing a red suit while flying in a sleigh giving children gifts, no.

Well, the fat whte man wearing a red suit flying in a sleigh was, in fact, created by white man -- specifically, Clement Clark Moore -- who first defined the character in his famous poem "The Night Before Christmas," and Thomas Nast, the political cartoonist who created the first drawing of Santa Claus.

Moreover, Santa Claus is known to be an alternate name for St. Nicholas who was, in fact, an actual white (or at least ethnically middle Eastern) historical figure.

St. Nicholas (c. 280–343) was a Christian bishop who provided for the poor and sick, and is the basis for the popular character of Santa Claus. . . Born in Patara, a land that is part of present-day Turkey, circa 280, St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop who helped the needy. After his death, the legend of his gift-giving grew. St. Nicholas transformed into the legendary character called Santa Claus, who brings Christmas presents to children around the world. https://www.biography.com/people/st-nicholas-204635

[Sooth2222]

Odin and His Mighty Horse

Among early Germanic tribes, one of the major deities was Odin, the ruler of Asgard. A number of similarities exist between some of Odin's escapades and those of the figure who would become Santa Claus. Odin was often depicted as leading a hunting party through the skies, during which he rode his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.

In the 13th-century Poetic Edda, Sleipnir is described as being able to leap great distances, which some scholars have compared to the legends of Santa's reindeer. Odin was typically portrayed as an old man with a long, white beard — much like St. Nicholas himself.

Treats for the Tots

During the winter, children placed their boots near the chimney, filling them with carrots or straw as a gift for Sleipnir. When Odin flew by, he rewarded the little ones by leaving gifts in their boots. In several Germanic countries, this practice survived despite the adoption of Christianity. As a result, the gift-giving became associated with St. Nicholas — only nowadays, we hang stockings rather than leaving boots by the chimney!

We no longer hang sacrifices from our trees, either. Now we hang red glass bulbs from our trees.