Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
With all the "don't want to offend anyone" pathettic ramblings going on. I want to vent a bit. I just learned tonight that one of our churches parishoners has spoken out (Who goes maybee once a year mind you) about NOT having SANTA give out candy canes this year before service on CHRISTmas eve.
It came about when My wife had a meeting called becauseshe is the sunday school director and is putting the final touches on the pagent as she does every year. This woman calls and is offended and instead she wants St nicholas dressed in century correct garb instead and all the childrens passages to EXCLUDE Santa. I FREAKED OUT sooooo Hmmm well let's see:
How did Santa Claus become part of Christmas? We all know the tradition of the wise men that brought gifts to the baby Jesus, but who is Santa Claus, and where did this story come from? Is he real? Santa Claus came from the patron Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas has a rich history as part of western culture and the his fame ties into the story of giving which goes with the spirit of Christmas.
Saint Nicolas was born in Patara, a village in Lycia (modern day Turkey) in the third century. He was born to a wealthy family that it is said owned a fleet of fishing vessels. After his parents died he was left with the inheritance from their business.
Nicholas was a devout Christian like his parents and was made the bishop of Myra. He was a priest during the years of Christian persecution from 284 to 311 when Galerius the Eastern Roman emperor created a general edit of toleration for Christians.
During his time as a priest and later a bishop, Nicholas was know for his great generosity to the poor, children, and one who came to the defense of those that have been falsely accused of crimes. He often intervened in their executions. He is know as the patron saint of sailors and travelers, probably due to his experience as a fisherman.
One of his greatest deeds was how he would give a dowdry (in the ancient world; money or property a woman brings to a marriage) to young women so that they could be married. Without a dowdry it was unlikely a woman would be married and was usually sold into slavery. As the story goes the daughter of a poor man found a bag of gold in shoes left by the fire left to dry. The gold was tossed through the window and landed in a stocking. This is where the tradition of hanging stockings came from. Saint Nicholas is named in many stories of his great generosity to the poor.
So we know of Saint Nicholas the saint, how did the story of Santa Claus come about? When the Puritans came to America, they had a dim view of saints and therefore the legend of Saint Nicholas was forgotten. In the early 19th century The legacy of Saint Nicholas was starting to gain more popularity. On December 6, 1810, The New York Historical Society held its first St. Nicholas anniversary dinner. John Pintard commissioned artist Alexander Anderson to create the first American image of Nicholas for the occasion. Nicholas was shown in a gift-giving role with children's treats in stockings hanging at a fireplace. In 1823 The Santa Claus legend was born.
A poem by Clement Clark Moore titled " A visit from St. Nicholas" today the poem is known as "Twas the night before Christmas". The poem was written as a gift to his children and as we know today has become a part of western culture today. The poem is a story of a jolly elf from comes on the rooftop to deliver presents to children. Santa Claus rides a sleigh driven by reindeer. Other writers and artists through the years have changed the story.
This wonderful story of Santa Claus came from the great saint loved by both rich and poor for his kindness and generosity. Though not celebrated in the US and Canada, Saint Nicholas day is celebrated on December 6th in countries throughout Europe. Though St. Nicholas was originally buried in Myra, seamen brought his remains to Bari, Italy in 1087. A church was built on his new burial site. This is were his remains still are today. Many flock there to honor his great generosity and love of children, the poor, and the falsely accused.
O. K fair enough however tell that to many a christian child that has come to know Santa as the modern world knows him as today. I say she should go to europe next yer on the 6th and have a blast. We are Christ Church . . The nation's OLDEST episopal church that jus celebrated our 300th year in the very same building that was built 300 years ago. LONG LIVE SANTA!! *pant pant breathe pant -- DONE! #@$%!
It came about when My wife had a meeting called becauseshe is the sunday school director and is putting the final touches on the pagent as she does every year. This woman calls and is offended and instead she wants St nicholas dressed in century correct garb instead and all the childrens passages to EXCLUDE Santa. I FREAKED OUT sooooo Hmmm well let's see:
How did Santa Claus become part of Christmas? We all know the tradition of the wise men that brought gifts to the baby Jesus, but who is Santa Claus, and where did this story come from? Is he real? Santa Claus came from the patron Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas has a rich history as part of western culture and the his fame ties into the story of giving which goes with the spirit of Christmas.
Saint Nicolas was born in Patara, a village in Lycia (modern day Turkey) in the third century. He was born to a wealthy family that it is said owned a fleet of fishing vessels. After his parents died he was left with the inheritance from their business.
Nicholas was a devout Christian like his parents and was made the bishop of Myra. He was a priest during the years of Christian persecution from 284 to 311 when Galerius the Eastern Roman emperor created a general edit of toleration for Christians.
During his time as a priest and later a bishop, Nicholas was know for his great generosity to the poor, children, and one who came to the defense of those that have been falsely accused of crimes. He often intervened in their executions. He is know as the patron saint of sailors and travelers, probably due to his experience as a fisherman.
One of his greatest deeds was how he would give a dowdry (in the ancient world; money or property a woman brings to a marriage) to young women so that they could be married. Without a dowdry it was unlikely a woman would be married and was usually sold into slavery. As the story goes the daughter of a poor man found a bag of gold in shoes left by the fire left to dry. The gold was tossed through the window and landed in a stocking. This is where the tradition of hanging stockings came from. Saint Nicholas is named in many stories of his great generosity to the poor.
So we know of Saint Nicholas the saint, how did the story of Santa Claus come about? When the Puritans came to America, they had a dim view of saints and therefore the legend of Saint Nicholas was forgotten. In the early 19th century The legacy of Saint Nicholas was starting to gain more popularity. On December 6, 1810, The New York Historical Society held its first St. Nicholas anniversary dinner. John Pintard commissioned artist Alexander Anderson to create the first American image of Nicholas for the occasion. Nicholas was shown in a gift-giving role with children's treats in stockings hanging at a fireplace. In 1823 The Santa Claus legend was born.
A poem by Clement Clark Moore titled " A visit from St. Nicholas" today the poem is known as "Twas the night before Christmas". The poem was written as a gift to his children and as we know today has become a part of western culture today. The poem is a story of a jolly elf from comes on the rooftop to deliver presents to children. Santa Claus rides a sleigh driven by reindeer. Other writers and artists through the years have changed the story.
This wonderful story of Santa Claus came from the great saint loved by both rich and poor for his kindness and generosity. Though not celebrated in the US and Canada, Saint Nicholas day is celebrated on December 6th in countries throughout Europe. Though St. Nicholas was originally buried in Myra, seamen brought his remains to Bari, Italy in 1087. A church was built on his new burial site. This is were his remains still are today. Many flock there to honor his great generosity and love of children, the poor, and the falsely accused.
O. K fair enough however tell that to many a christian child that has come to know Santa as the modern world knows him as today. I say she should go to europe next yer on the 6th and have a blast. We are Christ Church . . The nation's OLDEST episopal church that jus celebrated our 300th year in the very same building that was built 300 years ago. LONG LIVE SANTA!! *pant pant breathe pant -- DONE! #@$%!
:-laf
I thought he was an abandoned baby brought up by toy makers and hunted by Burgermeister Meisterburger! :-laf
