Loading...
The Citizen, 1989-12-22, Page 31THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1989. PAGE 31. From St. Nicholas to Santa Christmas and Santa Claus are synonymous in many countries, but this was not always so. The jolly old gent is actually the result of an evolving process through the cen­ turies, although he does have his origins as a real person. To be more accurate, he is probably a combina­ tion of St. Nicholas, and an ancient yule god. St. Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who had won a reputation for generos­ ity. According to the legend, the good bishop had saved three young maidens from spinsterhood or worse, by providing their impover­ ished father with dowries for each of the daughters. He supposedly left three bags of gold on the man’s window ledge. This is why pawn­ brokers, who consider St. Nicholas their patron saint, traditionally have three golden balls outside their shops. Another legend about St. Nicho­ las tells of the holy man’s discovery of three murdered youngsters; the saint brought them back to life, hence his association with children. In Holland, St. Nicholas became Santa Klaas, eagerly awaited by youngsters, who would fill their wooden shoes with hay, water and carrots for the saint’s horse, and place them before the fireplace. In the morning, these clogs would be filled with sweets and small presents if the youngsters had been good, or birch rods if they had been naughty. Santa Claus’ connection with the fireplace or chimney can be traced to pre-Christian times when hearth gods and gods of the yule log were honored. In ancient times, there was always a yule figure associated with mid-winter festivals; he was seen sometimes as an old man whose head was wreathed with mistletoe or holly. The northern tribes worshipped the god Woden, who rode across frozen wastes to bring presents to his devotees in the middle of winter. In some cultures, this pagan yule-figure evolved into Father Christmas as Christianity took root. In Sweden, Father Christmas still retains a gnomish aspect, but the English see Father Christmas as a tall, wine-flushed reveler. The Dutch who came to America brought with them their tradition of the benevolent Santa Klaas. It remained for an imaginative pro­ fessor of Oriental and Greek litera­ ture to bring together the elements of the stately bishop of the Dutch and the elfish figures of Northern Europe. His name was Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, and during the Christmas season of 1822, he wrote a poem for his children that brought to life his own conception of Sante Klaas, now named Sanca Claus. He called his poem The Visit of St. Nicholas, and in it he Continued on page 37 MERRY CHRISTMAS LYLE AND YVONNE, DARRYL AND KAREN YOUNGBLUT PLUMBING BLYTH 523-9585 BLYTH SERVICE CENTRE Earl Long Kevin Buchanan Henry Winters Brian McGregor Kyle Pewtress Jim Taylor Tom Pollard Randy McGregor Bill Shaddick Todd Hoggart “Serving Blyth & Area for 16 years " MILLS Howson & Howson Limited AuthorIgod Doalor We re hoping you have a safe and happy Christmas filled with all the rich delights of the season. We value you as a customer and look toward to serving you in the year ahead. BLY1H, ONT. 523-4244 The simple pleasures of Christmas! May you and your family share in all its wondrous joys. It 's been a pleasure serving you throughout the year.