Christmas sometimes seems to be the American national holiday.
Even in these tough economic times, stores are counting on “the
Christmas spirit” to keep them solvent for another year.
Christmas sometimes seems to be the American national holiday. Even in these tough economic times, stores are counting on “the Christmas spirit” to keep them solvent for another year.
Perhaps the most important symbol of Christmas, at least in a secular context, is Santa Claus, the rotund and jolly gift-giver who lives at the North Pole. His globe-circling trip on Christmas Eve is looked forward to by boys and girls across the U.S., as well as advertisers and merchants of all types.
This myth is based on a Christian saint, Bishop Nicholas of Myrna, who was probably born in Turkey in the year 260. He was recognized as a saint in the sixth century by order of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Although it is difficult to find factual information about him, there are many legends told about this ancient holy man.
– During the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian, Bishop Nicholas was reportedly imprisoned and tortured. He never lost his faith and was released by the next emperor, Constantine.
– He attended the great Ecumenical Council of bishops which met in Nicea and produced the summary of Christian belief known as the Nicene Creed.
– He brought back to life three young men that an innkeeper murdered and sealed in a barrel.
– When three daughters of a poor man were threatened with being sold into slavery, he rescued them by throwing down their chimney three bags of gold coins for use as a dowry. This legend probably led to his identification as a “gift-giver” and patron saint of children.
It is thought that St. Nicholas died in 343 and was buried in the cathedral of the Turkish city of Myrna. In the 11th century, however, Italian officials, afraid his remains might be desecrated by Muslims, dug up his bones and removed these relics, taking them to Bari, a city in Italy, to be reburied in a basilica dedicated to his memory. A major festival honoring him is held in Bari each May, though the official feast day in the Christian calendar for St. Nicholas is Dec. 6.
Perhaps because of his gift-giving, love of children and the closeness of his feast day to the Nativity, St. Nicholas has become associated with the great holiday of Christmas. The Dutch call him “Sinterklaas,” which in English has become “Santa Claus.” In Britain he is often called “Father Christmas”; “Old St. Nick” is now the patron saint of Christmas.
But this holy man is the patron of many other things; among them are the following: barrel makers, captives, sailors, fishermen, Greece, pawnbrokers, Russia, children. Because of his great popularity in medieval England, some 400 churches have been dedicated to him in that country alone.
For more information about this famous figure, including suggestions for celebrating his festival, visit www.stnicholassociety.com/.
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According to the traditional Christian calendar used in the West, Nov. 30 marks the beginning of Advent, a season of preparation leading up to Christmas. This week and next I will be mentioning some events intended to help with the preparation process.
– Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and St. Catherine Roman Catholic Church invite the community to the annual South Valley Community Christmas Concert. Held at the Stake Center, 1790 East Dunne Ave., Morgan Hill, this annual free event provides enjoyable Christmas music from a variety of talented local groups and individuals. For more information call (408) 779-3959.
– In Palo Alto, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3865 Middlefield Road, hosts the 21st annual Christmas Creche Exhibit. From noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 through 10, there will be an impressive display of 500 nativity scenes from around the world. Also offered are Christmas-themed marionette shows and choir and organ concerts associated with this free event.
For more information, see www.christmascreche.org/ or call (650) 856-3781.
