Religion

[knuckledragger]

O.k. I have to pick through my peanut sized brain to put a spin on the Santy thing WITHOUT reading the links. Tazz, didn't I advise you before about that magazine? Lemme hold onto it for some fat ass lighter wood starter. Here goes. As I know the story, there was a Saint Nicholas that did exist. Apparently he was very "generous." The early Church decided to put Christmas on the same Pagan holiday to quash the Pagan's ritual of celebrating the winter solstice. The Pagan's would celebrate by giving gifts. That we have already discussed. Santa Clause was the name given to Saint Nicholas. So now we have a Pagan practice that has become associated with a Catholic Saint. Another example of how Christians forced their will upon non followers. Most Christians believe we give gifts to each other on Christmas because it represents giving gifts to Jesus. In other words, offerings. This is not so. Gift giving is a relatively new thing that has a Pagan underscore. Saint Nicholas fits the profile to a "T" and so we now have a fat, jolly, man that comes and brings gifts. I think there was no other way to expel the Pagan practice and so the Church chose a Saint to justify the practice. Clever lil bastards those Pope's are. So now we have a Pagan practice that falls on the shoulders of some poor **** named Nicholas that wasn't even around at the time of the Pagan rituals. SANTA CLAUSE is almost a purely marketing entity designed to sell toys in the 20th and 21st centuries. Pretty ****in' complicated isn't it? I can explain it better in person sadly.

[Tazz]

Well Knuck, if you won't read it, then I will have to post it for you to "not read". It is an interesting article.


History
Home > Christianity Today Magazine > Faith & Thought > History

Christianity Today, December 4, 2000

The Evolution of St. Nick
Tracing the roots of Santa Claus to the early church.

By Wendy Murray Zoba | posted 12/15/00
The first Santa Claus had his roots in the church. His name was Nicholas, bishop of Myra (an ancient city along the Mediterranean coast of what is now Turkey). Other than his living in the fourth century, very little is known about him historically, though oral tradition abounds. Some accounts have him participating in the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, though surviving documents do not list him among the bishops in attendance.

Myra was a key port city where ships stopped on their way to and from Rome, Egypt, and Byzantium. Paul stopped there on his way to Rome (Acts 27:5–6). Nicholas is said to have saved Myra from starvation by seizing grain off a ship bound for Byzantium from Egypt. Because the stolen cargo was never missed it was counted as a miracle, and the bishop became the patron saint of sailors.

A second "miracle" associated with Nicholas set the stage for his becoming the inspiration behind Santa Claus. According to tradition, a poor family in Myra had three daughters who were being courted for marriage but who had no dowries. This doomed the girls to a life of shame and possible prostitution. The good bishop took it upon himself to supply their dowries, anonymously slipping bags of gold into their home—some say into stockings that were hanging up to dry. In securing their dowries—and so their right to marry—he rescued them from an otherwise degrading destiny. When Nicholas's identity as the benefactor came to light, so began the adulation of this gift-bearing saint. As a result, he also became the patron saint of children.

He died on December 6, A.D. 345 or 352, and was buried in a small church in Myra. But the story of what became of him after his death is almost more fantastic than the works he was said to have performed during his life.

In that day, the bodies of holy men were of immense value, for both religious and commercial reasons. So on May 9, 1087, sailors from the southern port city of Bari, Italy, raided Myra and stole Nicholas's remains. The bishop's bones remain in Bari to this day. The heist effectively transferred the mystery and magic of the oral tradition surrounding Nicholas from the East to the West. It was the first step in the transformation of the godly, provincial bishop into the omniscient superstar.

It didn't take long for the Westernized Nicholas stories to assume a place in each country's individual context and tradition. In 16th-century Germany, for example, church Reformers banned celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. In stead, they sought to emphasize the Christ child, or Christkindlein, who, taking his cue from Nicholas, brought gifts to children on Christmas Eve. This figure evolved into "kristkingle" and eventually "Kriss Kringle," who was more or less indistinguishable from the mythical Nicholas figure.

The Dutch tradition behind Sinterklaas is the most direct link to the modern American Santa Claus. This mythical figure is supposed to have sailed from Spain with a Moorish helper named Black Peter and filled Dutch children's shoes with nuts and candies. Sinterklaas had the uncanny ability to know about children's good or bad behavior.

The Germans, the Dutch, and others brought their Nicholas traditions when they migrated to the New World. Once ensconced in the United States, the literary community embellished the myth and brought it to the levels it has assumed today. The American Santa was shaped most notably by Union Seminary professor Clement Clark Moore's 1822 children's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which begins with the legendary line " 'Twas the night before Christmas … "

By the early 20th century, Santa appeared in department stores and mail-order houses that vied to be his "official headquarters." Post offices were overrun with letters to Santa from children who addressed them to "the North Pole."

The present-day Santa, in his most secular manifestation, is divorced from the spiritual moorings and motivation of the real-life Nicholas. But he still personifies goodness and a kind of justice, which might help explain the terror that arises in some children when they enter his presence. The evolution of the Nicholas story, beyond attesting to the American spirit of entrepreneurial innovation, bears out the overwhelming need people feel to believe in something and to celebrate something greater than themselves—even if it means making it up.

[knuckledragger]

Not too bad for NOT reading the link, eh Tazz?

[roadrunner]

Very good TAZ, you went through the effort to find something that would explain St. Nick so that even a dumbas% like me could understand it. You are therefore kamratized. Knuckledragger on the other hand seems to be at a loss for the written word and wants to engage in face to face verbal sparing, should be entertaining. BTW, where is livetoride these days? I'm sure he could add some interesting comments to the issue of church and St. Nick.

[knuckledragger]

Cut me some slack there Roadrunner. I tried without even looking it up. Gave an explanation to the best of my abilities based on memory. It is a VERY complicated story and there are several theories as to how Santy came to be. I can tell you about his demise with upmost certainty though. Now, someone tell the story of Saint Valentine. The story of St. Valentine is a goodin' depending on who's account you want to listen too.

[Tazz]

St. Valentine's Day refers to a massacre somewhere around 1800, 1804 or maybe even 1840.

Other than that, I ain't got a clue!

[roadrunner]

Tazz, you get a karma for the right church but you sure missed the pew. I can't recall the specific year, but the massacre occurred in Chiago on St. V Day in the 1920s and was a gangland style slaying of about 7 or 8 guys. If I remember correctly, one or more of the shooters were even wearing police uniforms. I think knuckledragger is more interested in the current holiday as it relates to communicating the warms and fuzzys to your spouse, G/F, B/F or other significant other depending on your preference. Some might even have to look out for a spouse and a G/F or B/F but that is another story.

[knuckledragger]

Yeah Roadrunner, I do mean the holiday itself. There is a story behind it. The Saint Valentines Day Massacre happened when some of Al Capone's boys dressed as cops and basically made off as if it was a "raid" and shot up George "Bug's" Moran's crew. Anyway, the story behind Valentines day is a good one if you believe that it is a story of self sacrifice for the one you love.

[knuckledragger]

B.T.W. Wheres my karmas? Don't I deserve anymore???

[Tazz]

Knuck, you are a karma HOG!

[grouchymom]

The history of Valentine's Day is based on the ancient Roman youth festival which was celebrated the eve of the Lupercalia (Lupercus, god of fertility) February 14. The young people of the Roman Empire celebrated the day by declaring their love for each other, proposing marriage, or choosing a partner for the following year. When the empire accepted Christianity, the worship and patronage of pagan gods ceased. However, the feast of youth continued, and so did the traditional customs. St. Valentine, a priest and martyr, died during the persecution of Emperor Claudius II, in 270. The day of his death, which became his feast day in the Catholic Church, was February 14. Therefore, the eve of the Lupercalia (being pagan), became St. Valentine's Day. The words, "You are my Valentine," originally meant: "I offer you my comradeship of affection and love for the next twelve months, and I am willing to consider marriage if this companionship proves satisfactory for both of us." The traditional meaning has been expanded to include all persons to whom a special affection is felt.

So on this Valentine's Day, as we send our cards and/or gifts to special ones in our lives, we could say a little prayer asking for God's blessing to each of them. Also, may we never forget to thank God for the precious gift of loving family and friends.

[knuckledragger]

OUT****INGSTANDING GROUCHYMOM!! A karma for you. One question though. How was Valentine a "martyr"? Thats a goodin' too. Don't ya hate it when people make ya dig deeper into the story? Tazz, I'll give you a karma when it lets me. I dont want to be a "hog" about it. LOL.

[grouchymom]

Okay Knuck here goes:

The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor was Claudius II. The Christian was Valentinus.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and he had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ, and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs. He was arrested and imprisoned.

During the last weeks of Valentinus' life a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth.

Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick young mind. Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her. He described the world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day. "Yes, my child. He hears each one'" He replied. "Do you know what I pray for every morning and night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!" "God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said. "Oh, Valentinus, I do believe," Julia said intensely. "I do."

She knelt and grasped his hand. Then they prayed together.
Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia cried, "Valentinus, I can see! I can see!" "Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God, and he signed it "From your Valentine."

His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome.

It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, St. Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world.

[Tazz]

My my my Grouchymom, aren't we just a fountain of knowledge today? I couldn't remember that if I tried......really tried!

Knuck, it is too late. You are already a karma HOG!

[grouchymom]

Sometimes I amaze myself. LOL