KEY WEST LOU / THE ORIGIN OF SANTA CLAUS

It is that time of the year. Santa Claus time!

What is Santa Claus’ history? From whence did he come?

The story begins December 6, 343 A.D. The man Saint Nicholas of Bari, Bishop of Myra. The inspiration for Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas died on December 6.

His legend did not die with him. As every child knows, Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, is hauled by reindeer every year to millions of homes which he enters via the chimney to deliver gifts.

It was the Middle Ages. Nicholas was born in Patara, a town in southern Turkey. In due course, he received a large inheritance which as a devout Catholic he helped to use to help the sick, poor and others in need.

He heard of three sisters of marriageable age who faced prostitution because their father could not afford doweries. He opted to help the three sisters by dropping bags of gold down their chimney. One bag landed in a stocking that had been hung by the fireplace to dry. This eventually led to the custom of children hanging stockings, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.

Stories abound re Nicholas. How a young boy was kidnapped by pirates who made him a slave. He was chosen by the pirate ruler to be his personal cup bearer and spent the next year waiting on the ruler. He brought him wine in a gold cup.

The parents asked Nicholas to obtain the return of their son. Saint Nicholas appeared to the boy, blessed him, and transfixed him back to his parents’ home, gold cup in hand.

Another story involves Nicholas traveling by ship to the Holy Land. A storm almost wrecked the vessel. However as soon as Nicholas admonished the waves, the storm abated.

He became the Bishop of Myra. All the bishops joined to elect him. Myra was the seat of the primary Bishop.

It was not the time to be a prominent Christian, however. Fourth century persecutions by the Roman Empire were rampant. Christians were arrested and tortured. In due course, Nicholas became one. He was kept in chains in prison for years until freed by Emperor Constantine.

It became customary to give gifts to young children on Nicholas’ feast day, December 6. The trend grew in Europe. Children would leave socks or shoes on a chair, or next to the fireplace, and go to sleep on the feast day eve trusting that the next morning they would be filled with gifts.

Over the years, Churches were built named after him. In Belgium 300, Rome 34, the Netherlands 23, and in England more than 400.

Nicholas’ reputation as Saint Nicholas grew, especially in Holland. He was called “Saint Nickolass” or “Sinterklass.” Dutch immigrants took his legend as a gift giver to the U.S. in 1700. There he eventually became known as Santa Claus. A jolly man who brought gifts during the Christmas holiday. The name “Santa Claus” is an American accented version of the Dutch “Sinterklass.”

Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus became one and the same person.

Saint Nicholas Day and Santa Claus Day were left hanging out there on December 6. When Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church in the 16th century, he moved the feast day of Saint Nicholas to December 25 to coincide with Christmas Day.

During the time of Henry VIII, Father Christmas was depicted as a bulky man in fur lined scarlet or green robes. His clothing endorsing the spirit of seasonal good cheer, bringing peace, joy, good food, wine and revelry. An image which has lived on.

Saint Nicholas died at the age of 73 in Myra where he had been Bishop for many years.

Unfortunately, can’t keep all of the people happy with the obvious happy do good life style personified by Saint Nicholas. Pope Paul VI questioned Saint Nichols’ good deeds. He had the Feast of Saint Nicholas dropped from the Catholic calendar in 1969 on the grounds there was insufficient documentary evidence about his life and deeds. Saint Nicholas paid a price for not having a Matthew, Mark, Luke and John walking with him.

Makes no difference. We love Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus and care not what even a Pope has to say about him!

My yesterday simple. A manicure by Tammy. Lucky me…..Carolla was there. My love from Brady’s Irish Pub. The bartender who bakes me Irish scones.

I have not seen her in a long while. My health has limited me to day time basketball games. Carolla works evenings.

We briefly chatted. Told her I would be at Brady’s today at noon for the Syracuse/Maryland basketball game. She said she will stop in to see me.

Bet she brings me Irish scone cookies!

Last night was special. The Three Tenors.

Need I say more.

Enjoy your day!