|
|
|
| Sunday, 25 December 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Most people know that Santa Claus, as we know him today, originated from St. Nicholas, but the Santa Claus story comes from many sources. Nicholas was born into a wealthy family living in Patera, in the south of Turkey. Legend claims that on Wednesdays and Fridays, when the church would have days of fasting, the infant Nicholas was nursed only after sundown. Just one of many stories demonstrating his holy reputation is about an angel who appeared to the cardinal appointing a new bishop for the Turkish town of Myra, with a face bright like the sun, who told the cardinal to ordain the 30-year old Nicholas. Through his priesthood in the early Christian faith, even while alive, Nicholas came to be recognised for his generosity to all those in trouble. In his role of doing good as a priest, one story tells of Nicholas, who took pity on a girl in his parish whose family had no dowry for her. Had Nicholas not intervened, it would have prevented her from marrying. He made a parcel of money from his family's coffers and donated it anonymously to the young woman, by throwing it in through her open window, where it is said to have landed in her stocking. This type of event occurred more than once, and Nicholas became known for late night gifts, and the granting of wishes. A miracle of his legacy is the story of three young students who were robbed on their way home from school, their limbs removed and stuffed in a pickle barrel. Nicholas is said to have appeared out of nowhere, and the boys arose at his command, all their severed limbs intact. In 314 A.D., at the Council of Nicea, the Emperor Constantine brought up the question of whether Christ was divine. During the arguments on the subject, Nicholas is reported to have slapped a doubting priest. Once the story of his deeds spread, he became widely known for helping those in trouble: lawyers and their clients, pawnbrokers, and sailors, as he was invoked (called) to calm turbulent (rough) seas. He also became the patron saint of children. After his death around 350 AD, his body was buried in Myra, Turkey. Around 1082-1087, his body was removed from the initial burial site to Bari, Italy, by grave robbing sailors, and a cathedral was built there in his name. For centuries, there were more churches in the middle ages named after him than all the apostles, and next to Christ and the Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas was the next most popular figure in Christianity. St. Nicholas came to be depicted as a jolly man in the more familiar red suit and white beard, and Harper's Weekly publisher Thomas Nast printed drawings that brought these images to the public. By this time, St. Nicholas' bishop's staff had become the more pagan candy cane. Other popular writers in the 1800s also published variations of the Santa Claus story, and by the 1890s, the first department store Santas had emerged. By the 20th century, Santa Claus was here to stay! *** Santa around the world In the United States and Canada, his name is Santa Claus. In China, he is called Shengdan Laoren. In England, his name is Father Christmas, and he has a longer coat and a longer beard. In France, he's known as Pere Noel. In Germany, children get presents from Christindl, the Christ Child. Customs Customs of the Christmas season in Spanish speaking countries have many similarities, and many variations. All of Latin America and Spain are predominantly Catholic. In many of these countries, Baby Jesus or el Nino Jesus brings gifts for children. In Costa Rica, Colombia, and parts of Mexico, the gift bearer is el Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus". In Brazil and Peru, he's called Papa Noel. In Puerto Rico, children receive gifts from the Three Kings on January 6, also called the celebration of Epiphany, the three Kings' Day. Each child puts grass under their bed for the camels. In the morning, the grass is replaced with gifts. Also, Puerto Rico, being part of the United States, does its major gift giving on December 25, with the Christmas Tree and Santa Claus. *** More on St. Nicholas In Greek, St. Nicholas is known as Hagios Nikolaos, Bishop of Myra (in the present day Turkey). Today, this mythical character is still alive and well, and is known all over the world as Nicholas of Myra, Santa Claus or "Santa" in America. His fame spread rapidly during the Middle Ages and thousands of churches are dedicated to him. He has been the patron saint of Russia, Moscow, Greece, children, sailors, prisoners, bakers, pawnbrokers, shopkeepers and wolves. His gift-giving role in Christmas rites probably follows from his fame as the friend of children. The story also says that he used to give anonymous donations of gold coins to persons in need. His cult spread in Europe and Christmas presents were distributed on December 6 when the celebration of St. Nicholas took place. In many countries, this day is still the day of Christmas gift-giving, although there is mounting pressure everywhere to conform to the custom of December 24 and 25. The relics of St.Nicholas are in the basilica of St. Nicola, in Bari, Italy. For this reason he is sometimes known as St.Nicholas of Bari. **** Santa myths The present version of Santa has given the current myth its visual form and these most curious traditions... *A merry old man with red and white clothes. *Eight flying reindeer, later joined by Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. *A home located on or near the North Pole. *The habit of filling socks or stockings with presents on the night of December 24.The habit of entering houses through the chimney. The most important single source for our modern day version of Santa Claus comes from the Christmas poem A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore. Written for his children in 1823, the family poem was later published for the public and included what became the now famous picture of Santa Claus by Thomas Nast. Actually the old "cult" of Santa Claus incorporates many traditions: Christian and pagan, Old Catholic, Scandinavian, Dutch, German and English. Santa brings us all together! Kids all over the world know who Santa
is... And although he may be a little commercialised, every one loves him. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
