aussiebloke,

Thanks for debunking the Coca-Cola myths. I see one myth is that Coca-Cola invented Santa Claus, a myth I mistakenly perpetuated in an earlier post. I didn't mean to imply that the character was unknown prior to Coke's famous ad campaign. Saint Nicholas, a very real person, was Archbishop of Myra in Lycia (modern day Turkey) during the fourth century. He is known as "Father among the Saints" and is widely venerated by the Church.

The modern commercial character is a blending of St. Nicholas with the folk traditions of northern Europe. But the red suit, not mentioned in Moore's famous poem, didn't show up until rather recently. I should add that the Icon of the real St. Nicholas often represents him in red robes. That may be one explanation for the red suit.

Still, it's the Coca-Cola image of the folk character that has become the standard representation and the symbol of the runaway commercialization that seems to have become the true meaning of Christmas in the west.

      - Mark