Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myrna
St. Nick was a real man who gave to children during Christmas.
Saint Nicolas was real
For many centuries, children around the world have believed that a fat man in a red suit named Santa Claus comes down their chimney on Christmas Eve and brings them gifts. Hundreds of cartoons and movies have been produced that depict the jolly old elf in various forms. The myths and legends are based on Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myrna.
There is a trend today for African Americans to use Black images of Santa and Mrs. Claus; Nothing wrong with that, however, the man who began all of this was Greek and had a White complexion.
Santa Claus was a Bishop
Bishop Nicholas of Myra, also known as Nicholas Bari, is the individual upon whom the model of Santa Claus or Sinkta Klaus was modeled. He was born sometime in March of 270 in Asia Minor, in the area that is modern-day Turkey.
He became the patron saint of pawnbrokers, thieves, children, brewers, sailors, and merchants. A day in his honor is celebrated on the sixth of December which is the day he died.
He was imprisoned for his faith
During the rule of the Roman dictator Diocletian, St. Nick was imprisoned and tortured for seven years because of his faith. His cellmates were Christian Bishops, Deacons, and Priests.
The prisons were so full of the religious leaders that there was no room for real criminals. Diocletian so hated Christianity that he preferred to have the church leaders locked up rather than thieves and murderers.
St. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents
Legend has it that Nicholas,(which means victor of the people) was born to wealthy parents who passed away shortly after his birth. His mother and father helped the poor and those who were ill. Unfortunately, they both contracted the sickness of those they were caring for and died.
Their son inherited their fortune, but obeyed the words of Jesus to help the poor. Nicholas Bari gave away his entire fortune to the needy. There are many stories about the manner in which this was done, but historians agree that he was a humanitarian, and he looked out for the least among us.
He gave to disadvantaged children
One tale that has withstood the test of time suggests that Bishop Nicholas placed gold coins in three bags for three sisters whose impoverished father was about to sell them into slavery. St. Nick is supposed to have thrown one bag of gold coins through a window for three nights in a row.
Legend also said that on Christmas Eve, he left coins on the window sills of homes with poor children. Other stories indicate that he put gold coins or fruit in the stockings that impoverished children hung on the fireplace mantle the night before Christmas.
After Saint Nicholas died, it is said that nuns continued his good deeds. They would help the poor anonymously regularly, which caused people to wonder where the blessings were coming from.
Those who were the recipients of the unknown benefactors began to say that it must have been Saint Nick, and this is how Santa Claus first came into being.
Controversy surrounds St. Nick
Some people say that Santa Claus is a false god because children are taught to pray to him for miracles and told that he sees them at all times. Others have even gone so far as to suggest that Saint Nicholas was a pedophile, but there is no corroborating evidence.
It is often difficult to separate fact from fiction, but three things about this controversial Catholic Bishop are true. He lived, he gave to the poor, and much that has to do with Christmas is based on the image the world has of him.
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Cheryl E Preston
Cheryl enjoys writing about current events, soap spoilers and baby boomer nostalgia. Tips are greatly appreciated.
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