Posted on 12/30/2005 9:10:34 AM PST by sionnsar
The institution of Santa Claus has its roots in stories about St Nicholas's generosity and love toward children. But St Nicholas, 4th-century bishop of Myra, had another side. While attending the Council of Nicea in AD 325, he defended orthodox Christology in particularly vigorous fashion:
During the Council of Nicea, jolly old St. Nicholas got so fed up with Arius, who taught that Jesus was just a man, that he walked up and slapped him! That unbishoplike behavior got him in trouble. The council almost stripped him of his office, but Nicholas said he was sorry, so he was forgiven.Maybe Santa Claus could consider Nicene orthodoxy when it's time to
find out who's naughty and nice.
[W]e'll need new songs and TV specials (Before you know it, everyone will want Santa out of Christmas.Santa Claus Is Coming to Slap,Deck the Apollinarian with Bats of Holly,Frosty the Gnostic,How the Arian Stole Christmas,Rudolph the Red Knows Jesus).
Department store Santas should ask the children on their laps if they have been good, what they want for Christmas, and whether they understand the Two Natures of Christ. The Santas should also roam the shopping aisles, and if they hear any clerks wish their customers a mere "Happy Holiday," give them a slap.
This addition to his job description will keep Santa busy. Teachers who forbid the singing of religious Christmas carols—SLAP! Office managers who erect Holiday Trees—SLAP! Judges who outlaw manger displays—SLAP! People who give The Da Vinci Code as a Christmas present—SLAP! Ministers who cancel Sunday church services that fall on Christmas day—SLAP! SLAP!
Always liked old St. Nick.
In my wife's "old country" St. Nick brought presents to the good boys and girls, and he and his henchmen (Moors, all) beat heck out of the bad ones...
"Now Nick, if you can't play Nicene, you'll have to leave..."
Never happened
Arianism was the issue of Nicea. Yet noone mentions this bitch-slap until it turns up in a story 500 years later.
Half a millenia of silence. Doesn't pass the smell test.
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