The real story behind Santa Claus

By Daniel Burke, CNN Religion Editor

Updated 1439 GMT (2239 HKT) December 25, 2014

A Santa Claus lights a flare while riding in a boat in Imperia, Italy. Click through the gallery for more photos of all the places Santa has shown up over the years:
Photos: Santa sightings around the world
Santa sightings around the world – A Santa Claus lights a flare while riding in a boat in Imperia, Italy. Click through the gallery for more photos of all the places Santa has shown up over the years:
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Volunteers in Santa outfits toss their hats into the air before delivering gifts to the poor in Seoul, South Korea.
Photos: Santa sightings around the world
Santa sightings around the world – Volunteers in Santa outfits toss their hats into the air before delivering gifts to the poor in Seoul, South Korea.
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A fisherman in Santa disguise joins in the holiday celebrations in Valparaiso, Chile.
Photos: Santa sightings around the world
Santa sightings around the world – A fisherman in Santa disguise joins in the holiday celebrations in Valparaiso, Chile.
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A Santa waves from his sleigh on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Photos: Santa sightings around the world
Santa sightings around the world – A Santa waves from his sleigh on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
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A Santa gives out sweets to a man in Beijing.
Photos: Santa sightings around the world
Santa sightings around the world – A Santa gives out sweets to a man in Beijing.
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With help from a cable, Santa and his reindeer "fly" over Lake Geneva as part of the Christmas Market in Montreux, Switzerland.
Photos: Santa sightings around the world
Santa sightings around the world – With help from a cable, Santa and his reindeer "fly" over Lake Geneva as part of the Christmas Market in Montreux, Switzerland.
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