[JavaTheHutt]

I don't understand why you find it amusing that a Christian saint appears in the same yard as a nativity scene. Santa Claus is, after all, simply Saint Nicolas. His name has been translated into many languages through the centuries. Santa Claus in Dutch, I think.

You're right, I think Saint Nicholas was from Holland. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Amsterdam is breathtaking. Huge gold angels on the roof, lit up at night. A non religous army buddy of mine was even inspired at the sight.

[jimtorr]

I was reffering to the name "Santa Claus", as a Dutch transliteration of the Greek or Latin Saint Nicolas. St. Nic. himself was a Roman of Greek extraction, a citizen.

He lived and worked in the province of Lycia, in what is now western Turkey. He became the archbishop of Myra, the capital of Lycia, where his good works became known and where he earned his sainthood. He died in Myra in 342.