The real Santa Claus

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The real Santa Claus; Yep there's a real Santa!
Topic Started: Tuesday, 2. December 2008, 02:49 (66 Views)
MickCook	Tuesday, 2. December 2008, 02:49 Post #1
Posts: 633 Group: Members Member #18 Joined: September 26, 2006	In the USA and other countries he is identified with Santa Claus who distributes gifts to children on Christmas eve. Born at Parara, a city of Lycia in Asia Minor he made a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine in his youth, shortly after his return he became Bishop of Myra. He was cast into prison during the persecution of Diocletian, but he was released after the accession of Constantine. He died 6th December 345 or 352. Among others, St. Nicholas of Myra is patron of mariners, merchants, bakers, travellers, and of course children.
	:) Mick The Cook Companies


Derekap	Tuesday, 2. December 2008, 21:49 Post #2
Posts: 3,357 Group: Members Member #14 Joined: September 26, 2006	'Claus' or variations is the last syllable of the of the name Nicholas. Many years ago I was in Brussels in early November and I was taken aback because in the grottos in the big shops Santa Claus was dressed not in a redcoat and hood with white fur but as a genuine Archibishop with a mitre. He delivers toys to children on his feast which is the 6th of December. I think in Amsterdam on his feast he has a grand parade through the streets - though it is not a Catholic City. Some years later I arrived in Hamburg on 1st November for three months work. All the stores had wonderful displays of toys and other gifts for young people. Though there didn't seem to be any reference to Sankt Claus the toys etc disappeared as if by magic after 6 December. In Belgium and the Netherlands he is often accompanied a young black boy, Black Peter, who keeps a record of the behaviour of all children.
	Derekap


SeanJ	Tuesday, 2. December 2008, 22:05 Post #3
Moderator Posts: 766 Group: Moderator Member #208 Joined: September 26, 2008	My German grandchildren get toys etc. on 6 Dec, the feast of St Niklaus, and again at Christmas.



Derekap	Tuesday, 2. December 2008, 22:24 Post #4
Posts: 3,357 Group: Members Member #14 Joined: September 26, 2006	And Birthdays as well I suppose. Lucky children!
	Derekap


KatyA	Wednesday, 3. December 2008, 00:03 Post #5
Administrator Posts: 5,199 Group: Admin Member #6 Joined: September 26, 2006	Please don't tell my granddaughter that- she will expect the same KatyA



MickCook	Wednesday, 3. December 2008, 04:33 Post #6
Posts: 633 Group: Members Member #18 Joined: September 26, 2006	Tradition has it that St. Nicholas of Myra worked miracles both before and after his death. As other's have posted, in some countries toys are given to children on his feast day, December 6th.
	:) Mick The Cook Companies


SeanJ	Thursday, 11. December 2008, 23:31 Post #7
Moderator Posts: 766 Group: Moderator Member #208 Joined: September 26, 2008	I have just discovered that he has his own web site. Here it is.



KatyA	Sunday, 14. December 2008, 23:19 Post #8
Administrator Posts: 5,199 Group: Admin Member #6 Joined: September 26, 2006	A lovely story of someone keeping the origin of Santa Claus alive Quote: It�s a sight to see: a real, live Santa Claus on his knees, hands folded, inclining his head reverently toward statues of the Holy Family. Then, still kneeling, he becomes �maestro Santa� � leading children and their parents not in �Jingle Bells� or �Up on the Housetop,� but in a verse each of �Oh Come, All ye Faithful� and �Silent Night.� In case you think you�re having a Christmas hallucination brought on by too much eggnog or an overabundance of holiday films, rest easy. This is just how they do Christmastime at the Merrifield Garden Center just outside the Beltway in Merrifield at Lee Highway and Gallows Road. Rather, this is how John Buckreis does Christmastime. The Annandale man�s approach to Santa Claus �as the modern-day St. Nicholas� has kept generations of families returning to the jolly old elf�s garden center home for nearly 30 years. Full story Arlington Catholic Herald Edited by KatyA, Sunday, 14. December 2008, 23:20.



KatyA	Saturday, 20. December 2008, 21:22 Post #9
Administrator Posts: 5,199 Group: Admin Member #6 Joined: September 26, 2006	Here's another website dedicated to St Nick St Nicholas Society UK/USA Quote: Founded in 2000, the English Speaking St Nicholas Society is a sister organisation to the Sint Niklaas Genootschap, headquartered in Flemish Belgium. Another branch exists in the Netherlands. It is the goal of the society to increase interest, learning, and appreciation of the tradition of St Nicholas, Patron saint of children, pawnbrokers and sailors, as the gift-giver, and the true and only Santa Claus/Father Christmas. The society is not opposed to celebrations, gift-giving or other holiday activities, but it does encourage a sanity in the amount of gifts bought and exchanged as well as allowing Christmas to remain a day of Christian celebration. There is no need for the secularised Santa Claus/Father Christmas when St Nicholas, who was born in 260 AD and died December 6, 343 AD, provides a perfect model for care and gift giving. Santa is a commercial invention. St Nicholas is a servant of Christ and an example for us all to enjoy and emulate. The society believes that St Nicholas helps young and old see what the true spirit of Advent and Christmas can be for us all, especially for those who find the holidays very stressful. It is the society's hope that Jolly Old St Nicholas will become, once again, in English speaking parts of the world, a focus of celebration in his true identity. The December 6 festival can provide a good chance for a less hectic approach to December 25.



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