Oxford University scientists say they have a bone that belonged to Santa Claus. The real name of Santa Claus is St Nicholas. He was a holy man who lived in the 4th century in what is now Turkey. Many stories say he did many miracles. This is why the Christian church made him a saint. A scientist said: "This bone…suggests that we could possibly be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself." St Nicholas is the saint of children. There are stories that he secretly gave presents to poor people. This is the story behind today's Santa Claus.

Santa Claus is also called Father Christmas in many countries. He brings presents to the homes of well-behaved children on the evening of the 24th of December. Badly-behaved children get a piece of coal. He uses a sleigh to deliver his presents. The sleigh is pulled through the air by flying reindeer. Santa Claus is usually seen as a fat, happy man with a white beard. He wears a red coat with a white fur collar, red trousers, a black belt and black boots. He lives in the North Pole, where he has a toy-making workshop. Today's children track his Christmas Eve journey online.