Father Christmas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle ... it seems like our modern-day Santa Claus has more names than he knows what to do with.

Confusing? Not to worry -- short-explanatory-film-maker C. G. P. Grey saves the day with his brief video history of the origin of "jolly Saint Nick."

When Europeans settled the American colonies, all the European versions of St. Nick and Father Christmas and the other characters began to mix together. Which can be one reason why the same jolly fellow is known by so many names by folks young and old.

Santa Claus is the Americanization of Sinterklaas, but he’s also called St Nick and Father Christmas and Kris Kringle which comes from Germany.

Many of us may have a vision of Santa as the fellow in the soft drink advertisements or in the storybook “The Night Before Christmas.” But no matter what, one thing is certain – Santa Claus brings joy to youngters and a smile to the faces of older folks each year.

Photo Above: Santa visited Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter recently, and brightened the holiday for Andrew and Anna Ellinghouse and dozens of other youngsters. (Photo courtesy of Missouri Southern Healthcare)