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St. Nicholas belongs in any reclamation of Christmas
courierpress.com ^
| December 6, 2003
| Terry Mattingly
Posted on 12/06/2003 10:41:08 AM PST by Destro
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To: Oztrich Boy
21
posted on
12/06/2003 3:00:59 PM PST
by
Destro
(Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
To: Katya
My kids faithfully put out their shoes on the eve of December 5th Kids?
The shoes I put out last night were were stuffed this morning, too.
longjack
22
posted on
12/06/2003 3:07:22 PM PST
by
longjack
To: Destro
Yeah, I saw that. and Whatever! Jones can think whatever he likes.
whether or not there was a historical bishop, all "accounts of his life" reek of myth. "The Power of Three" Three maidens, three condemmed innocents, three murdered boys, three generals, three sailors.
23
posted on
12/06/2003 3:10:26 PM PST
by
Oztrich Boy
("Noöne has the right not to be offended" John Cleese)
To: Oztrich Boy
I am more than willing to leave miracles to "mythology" as a historian who is very comfortable in explaining the super natural with human insight it is clear he existed as a real person with real historical weight that later generations thought was worthy of myth linkage.
All myths are based on facts. You were just sloppy in your assertion that St. Nicholas did not exist and you link as your proof a source which says he probably did.
24
posted on
12/06/2003 3:44:36 PM PST
by
Destro
(Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
To: Destro
That's a terriffic idea.
To: OpusatFR
26
posted on
12/06/2003 5:16:26 PM PST
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: aposiopetic
Merry Christmas!
27
posted on
12/08/2003 9:39:48 AM PST
by
Romulus
(Nothing really good ever happened after 1789.)
To: Destro
28
posted on
12/06/2004 7:58:04 AM PST
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: Destro
At our kids' old Catholic School, the Christmas Bazaar features "Pictures with St. Nicholas". We don't do 'Santa Claus'.
29
posted on
12/06/2004 10:37:21 AM PST
by
SuziQ
(W STILL the President)
To: Destro
BTTT on the Feast of St. Nicholas, 6 December 2005.
30
posted on
12/06/2005 7:21:45 AM PST
by
Pyro7480
(Sancte Joseph, terror daemonum, ora pro nobis!)
To: Destro
American Catholics Saint of the Day
December 6, 2005
St. Nicholas
(d. 350?)
|
|
|
The absence of the hard facts of history is not necessarily an obstacle to the popularity of saints, as the devotion to St. Nicholas shows. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that, after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists. And yet, historically, we can pinpoint only the fact that Nicholas was the fourth-century bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. As with many of the saints, however, we are able to capture the relationship which Nicholas had with God through the admiration which Christians have had for himan admiration expressed in the colorful stories which have been told and retold through the centuries. Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor mans window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saints feast. In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Clausfurther expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop.
Comment:
The critical eye of modern history makes us take a deeper look at the legends surrounding St. Nicholas. But perhaps we can utilize the lesson taught by his legendary charity, look deeper at our approach to material goods in the Christmas season and seek ways to extend our sharing to those in real need. Quote:
In order to be able to consult more suitably the welfare of the faithful according to the condition of each one, a bishop should strive to become duly acquainted with their needs in the social circumstances in which they live.... He should manifest his concern for all, no matter what their age, condition, or nationality, be they natives, strangers, or foreigners (Decree on the Bishops' Pastoral Office, 16). |
31
posted on
12/06/2005 5:54:18 PM PST
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: Destro
BTTT on the Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas, December 6, 2006!
32
posted on
12/06/2006 11:55:56 AM PST
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
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