What Santas got to do with Christmas?

What Santas got to do with Christmas?
Don't get it! Yankees mixing it up.
Christmas is a religious festive, celebration of the birth of Jesus!
Three kings, Bethlehem etc...
What the hell, Santa's doing Christmas time, flying around in a sled?
In Europe, Santa comes on Dec. 6th bringing gifts to children.
JS


Christmas in Hungary

In Hungary the main Christmas celebrations take place on
Christmas Eve. The evening is called Szent-este or Holy Evening. Before
attending Midnight Mass, families gather around the Christmas tree to
sing carols and open the presents left by Baby Jesus and the angels.

A couple of weeks before Christmas, on December 6th the children
receive a visit from Mikulas or St Nicholas. He arrives wearing the
robes of a bishop, with a red miter on his head, a staff in one hand and
a sack full of small presents in the other. Accompanying him a "Devil"
boy in a black costume, complete with horns and long tail. He holds a
switch made of dry twigs, ready to smack any "naughty" children. Each
child receives a small gift, usually s toy or sweets, from Mikulas.

The presenting of nativity plays is an important part of the
Hungarian Christmas tradition. Performed by groups of children or
adults, these plays are often combined with puppets and are accompanied
by songs and musical instruments and sometimes even dancing.

http://www.santas.net/hungarianchristmas.htm