* The original Santa Claus was a Viking god
* In fact, Santa Claus was the god of war and death
* Odin, yearly would go on a annual hunt around the known world
* He would travel with his eight legged horse, Sleipnir
* Viking boys and girls were told to put out sugar cubes and straw for Odin's horse because they might rest at their house
* Viking parents would give the children a reward from Odin over the night
* Later, when Christianity was settling in Northern Europe where these traditions were still strong a Bishop decided to reward the Christian children
* The Bishop's name was Nicholas, hence, St. Nick
* From there story of Santa Claus grew