I was looking for something not Oz but Baum at the used book store, and this is what I found. This book was published in 1902, or shortly after the Wizard of Oz and before the second Oz book The Marvelous Land of Oz. It tells Baum's version of where Santa Claus came from, and how he came to be Santa Claus with hints into different customs. NeClaus is the name given him by the fairy princess after he is taken in by Wood Nymph Necile. The name means Necile's Little One. The Ak; Master Woodsman takes a liking to him, and allows him to stay. It is also he who shows Claus his own kind as a young man after he had lived with the immortals his entire childhood. Claus decides to live among his own kind, but stays close to the forest people in the Laughing Valley of Hohaho. Claus takes it upon himself to make children happy, by making them toys. They were not any toys at the time. In doing so he makes himself an enemy of Awgwas who like children to be miserable. They try to kill him, and each time he is rescued by the immortals. Finally there is a great battle and the Awgwas and their hosts are destroyed, and Claus is free to deliver toys to the people of the world. He notices that reindeer and deliver faster than he with a sleigh. However the reindeer are controlled by Knooks who can be grouchy. They finally agree Claus can use reindeer on day a year, Christmas Eve. The reindeer have a special diet and favors from the other immortals so they can perform this task. Claus is given the name Santa by the children of the world. Finally Claus grows old and death is sure to overtake him, putting a stop to annual toy delivery. However Ak takes pity on him, and Claus is given the cloak of immortality, and thus has the energy of a youth but the appearance of an old man.
This little book has an explanation for many Christmas traditions including the Christmas Tree, the sleigh, bells, chimneys, toys, workshop, etc. etc. This quotes I found insightful
The Ak: Yet suffering in moderation, is the natural lot of mortals, and it is not out place to interfere with the laws of nature.
narrator: But it is the law while Evil, unopposed, may accomplish terrible deeds, the power of Good can never be overthrown when opposed to Evil.
Narrator speaking of Claus: For a generous deed lives longer than a great battle or a king's decree or a scholar's essay, because it spreads and leaves its mark on all nature and endures through many generations.
"In all this world there is nothing so beautiful as a happy child," says good old Santa Claus; and if he had his way the children would all be beautiful, for all would be happy.
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