Nicholas of Mrya; Part 3

Shalom;
If Nicholas of Myra was born here in this past century, he would himself born amoung haters.
Santa Claus?????
Yes.

 Nicholas was born to a wealthy family in Patara, Lycia.
With all of the rich not paying their fair share, why would Nicholas fair today? How about tossing bags of gold into the windows of the poor? Would he be taxed on his giving? 
And instend of being thankful for the gift received, would the poor instead, accept it as their do and be mad becase he didn't give more?
Oh and he was a Bishop, head of the Church of Myra, during a time when there was no such thing as a separation of Church and State.
A humble man who used his wealth to serve others because of what his uncle and Church taught him.
 Upon his parents deaths, Nicholas inherited a considerable sum of money, but as I stated above, he kept none of it. He gave it away; to his church and to care for the poor.
One of the most famous stories about his life, upon learning that a poor man did not have the money for the dowries for his three daughters. In those days, a woman who was not married was often forced into prostitution. Nicholas, however did more than "pray for the needs" of this man and his daughters; he through bags of gold the windows, into the drying stockings of the girls, ensuring the girls having a better future.
Of course, there are the stories of Nicholas resurrecting these same girls after an innkeeper beheaded them and prickled their bodies in a tub of brine. Or children saved being thrown into a pot of boiling oil.
These stories are up there with the Boy Yeshua making clay birds he formed, come to life and fly away. Fanciful.
It is Nicholas’s reputation his generosity and kindness gave rise to  many of the legends of miracles he performed for the poor and unhappy.
I always find myself wondering what Nicholas of Myra, if he were alive today, what would he think of what has happen to his memory.
That he is no longer dressed in Bishop attire, but like a pirate, leading a team of eight rein-deer and given god-like status.
Would he approve of children given a mini mall of toys, all the while they are children around the world who are staring? That he really doesn't visit all the good boys and girls of the world; how many a Jewish, Muslim and Hindi child, who are good as gold, never receive a toy. They too sing about his coming to town and write letters.
Santa Claus doesn't come to their homes because they don't believe in him.
Belief would no have matter to Nicholas; if there was a need, if it was in his means, Nicholas would meet it.
I frankly prefer Nicholas to Santa.
Thank you mummie, for teaching me about the real Saint Nicholas. I can only hope and pray my son is teaching my grandsons about this amazing man.

 

Nicholas of Myra Part 2

Shalom:
As a child, his was a name I knew well.
Saint Nicholas of Myra.
My mother called him the"spirit of giving, which is the true meaning of x-mas."
Yet, until the past few years, with rare exceptions like myself, most people have never heard of Nicholas of Myra.
Who?
Nicholas of Myra. Better known as St. Nicholas.
Oh Santa Claus...
Ah, hmmmm....
Many believe that  St. Nicholas existed only in legend, without any reliable historical record. Or worse, made up by greedy merchants to make a killing during the x-mas season.
However, legends are usually created out of of real, actual events, though embellished to make more interesting stories.
 St. Nicholas is such a case. Many of the stories about this man are truths interwoven with imagination. However, the fact is Nicholas of Myra is indeed a real person and is nothing like the Jolly Ole Elf known as Santa Claus.
In fact, not only would Nicholas be the first to cry foul to how he has been used to promote this this greed driven holiday, but even the myths made up about him.
Nicholas, if you need a good lawyer, I know one.
 Though the exact date is not known, it is believed that Nicholas was born between AD 260 and 280. The place, Patara, can be historically grounded.
While a Saint in the Catholic Church, Nicholas is also revered among Anglican, Lutherans and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Right here in Virgina Beach, there is a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, but in many places around the world, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches are named in his honour.
I once knew a rabbi, who told me that Saint Nicholas, known for his compassion for the poor, is a role model for all mankind, not just christians.
My mother told me that Nicholas was born a wealthy man, yet gave his wealth to care for the poor. My step-father told me that Saint Nicholas is the  Patron Saint of Sailors, a Nun told me he was the Patron Saint of children.
But it was in Jr. High school, when doing a school report that I would learn he was the Patron Saint of, merchants, archers, pirates (thus the pirate-like red suit), and pawnbrokers. In some countries in Europe, he is the Patron Saint of students.
That makes Saint Nick one busy guy.
While there are those who argue St. Nicholas existed only in legend, he is make-believe, a fairytale  and worse, a lie told to children, who grow up doubting the existing even of G-d after they find out their parents lied to them.
As a lover of liliterature, I know that legends tend to grow out of real, actual events, though often be embellished to make more interesting stories. Many of the St. Nicholas stories have been interwoven with imagination. But just because fairy stories have been mingled with truth, it doesn't mean that there wasn't a real man name Nicholas.