A wonderful little novella written for Weird Tales in 1938, which re-imagines the origins of Santa Claus. After Claus - a Viking gladiator in the Roman games - rescues Mary, Joseph and their baby from Herod's soldiers. a voice thanks him, gives him eternal life in service of His Lord and sets him down a path across history until he finally discovers his now familiar destiny as the patron Saint of children.

Mixing the old style prose of a classic fable, with elements of sword and sorcery and historical fiction, this is a short, but fun little novella. Starting from brutal beginnings and ending with on the note of joy and hope you'd expect from such a tale, Claus' journey is one worthy of any classic hero and makes this the perfect little story to read during the season. ( )

A terrific Nativity story, which also provides an explanation of the origin of another great Christian character. ( )