AllMovie

This edition of Biography, the long running documentary series from A&E, explores the history and myth surrounding Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was superseded in much of Europe by Christkindlein, the Christ child, who delivered gifts in secret to the children. He traveled with a dwarf-like helper called Pelznickel (a.k.a. Belsnickle) or with St. Nicholas-like figures. Eventually, all three were combined into the image that we now know as Santa Claus. "Christkindlein" became Kriss Kringle. This video also includes commentary on the importance of Santa as a Christmas figure and the possibilities of a real-life St. Nicholas existing in history.