This Christmas, We Need a Visit from the Real Saint Nicholas

American Thinker ^ | 12/25/2019 | Walt Johanson

[SeekAndFind]

Saint Nicholas was born in the third century, to an affluent family in Patara, a Greek city in the Roman province of Lycia, in modern-day Turkey.

Nicholas was a priest during the reign of Diocletian (reigned 286-305), an emperor who embarked upon a vigorous persecution of Christians in 305. Diocletian was succeeded in the eastern half of the Empire by Galerius (r. 305-311), who continued the persecution, although he issued an edict of toleration before he died.

It was in this era that Nicholas became bishop of Myra. His name, Nikolaos, is Greek for “Victor of the People,” apt for a time when Christians triumphed over the militantly secular authorities of the Roman state.

Being a man of no little wealth but of far from little charity, it was said that on one occasion, Nicholas tossed three bags of gold coins into the home of a man whose three daughters needed dowries if they were not to be forced into prostitution. It is said that this is the origin of the three gold balls that traditionally were hung over the doors to pawnshops. Another trinity-related story connected to Nicholas was that a butcher, wanting to profit from a famine, killed three men (or boys), then pickled and barreled them for sale. Nicholas saw through the crime, prayed, and the three were returned to life.

Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors. One story has him rescuing a sailor who fell from the rigging when he was on a voyage home from studies in Alexandria. Another has him praying for sailors on a vessel in shoal waters, saving them from being wrecked on the rocks.

Fast forward a dozen centuries and the Dutch were the leading seafaring nation of Europe.

[SeekAndFind]

Through a millennium and a half, then, Saint Nicholas has been transformed from a saintly priest of unknown stature, a charitable man who performed miracles. He has become a bearded, jolly old man in a red coat whose seasonal occupation is to seat little kids on his lap in shopping malls, there to encourage the parents to buy more toys than the little ones could ever need.

[MrEdd]

You’ll put your eye out, kid.

[SkyDancer]

[Pontiac]

What?!

No mention of Nicolas slapping Arius at the Council of Nicaea?

[Mrs. Don-o]

Merry Christmas

Glad to oblige.

[SeekAndFind]

What on earth was that? St. Nick slapping the face of a heretic? Not very “tolerant” of him.

[mosesdapoet]

On This “Little Christmas”
January 6th from my The First Book Of Moses poetry page Reflections of living in a Chicago ethnic neighborhood known as Bridgeport 1930’s to 1953 during the great depression and the two wars which followed .Also shows the changes in traditional Roman Catholic Christmas observance prior to Vatican 2

Once Upon a Time and not too long ago
The Twelfth Night Of Christmas
was celebrated with a ball
From the Day of Babes Birth
and the 11 thereafter
kith and kin were paid a visit
and friends from far and near
once were paid a call
So on this day I pray in the spirit that this date recalls
Let the gift of homage of kings gain
in the spirit of the days this season yet remain
ere it wane
Be thine Blessings Great
and misfortunes thee none befall

This poem is an abbreviated version but shows how the Christmas season was observed by Catholics prior to the Vat 2 changes
http://www.theusmat.com/natdesk.htm

[SeekAndFind]

RE: No mention of Nicolas slapping Arius at the Council of Nicaea?

I’m surprised Arius didn’t slap him back and create a Jerry Springer fight scene in Nicea :)

[kalee]

for later

[Veggie Todd]

[Mrs. Don-o]

Arias said Jesus was not God.

Perhaps tolerance was not St. Nicholas' forte.

[Kickass Conservative]

Nope, everyone is looking for Stalin Claus.

[Larry Lucido]

Is he making the “sign”?

He’s a Van Buren Boy!

[Biggirl]

Are you really sure?

[Kickass Conservative]

Every time they have a Debate there is a stage full of applicants for the Stalin Claus position. Waiting for remake “Miracle on MLK Blvd”.

[Antoninus]