The Bizarre History of Santa Claus & the Council of Nicaea Connection

It’s a holiday special of Friday Night Live with Ben and Rob from Edge of Wonder!

How much do you really know about Santa Claus? The story is one strange and weird history dating back over a thousand years. The original St. Nicholas of Bari was said to have rescued 3 children out of poverty, saved innocent soldiers from wrongful execution, and even chopped down a tree that was reportedly possessed. St. Nick was also at the Council of Nicaea, which was the crucial turning point of Christianity and a huge spark of controversy for the Catholic Church. Learn the true history missing from all the Christmas movies.

Then hear about another, darker Christmas figure who emerged for naughty children: Krampus. He is a horned, demon-goat figure who carries a sack and kidnaps children. Once upon a time, St. Nick and Krampus would supposedly go out together, and the bad children would be taken away or beaten with rods and sticks while the good ones would get toys.

Did these two figures merge, and that’s how today’s “Santa Claus” was born? Where did the red coat come from? And how did Coca-Cola influence what we know as Santa Claus?

Tune in to discover all of this, plus the weekly Mandela Effect and the Metaphysical Minute segments.

“Dig Deep” Live Q&A: “What’s your favorite Christmas song?” “What is the best present Santa ever brought you?” “Who would win in a fight: Santa vs. the Easter bunny, Tooth Fairy, or a leprechaun?” “If you could have just one divine mystery disclosed for your Christmas present, what would you choose?”

Top 10 Weirder News of the Week:

10. Strange lights were spotted over Galt. Was it a drone, plane, UFO, or Santa?

9. An elderly man became a track and field star.

8. Florida may begin using radioactive material in road construction.

7. A fashion brand is making bubble wrap garments.

6. An ex-NASA astronaut spotted two metallic, spherical UFOs at 9,000 ft.

5. The owner of the UK’s only surviving DVD rental story claimed business was booming 40 years later. Hear the top-rented movies.

4. A terrified family encountered poltergeist activity.

3. Geologists appeared to stumble upon the largest gold mine in the world.

2. A Russian video featured Santa being shot out of the sky by “Father Frost.”

1. A baby Jesus statue stolen from a nativity scene was returned with an apology note.