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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 14501
[Society]
Date Posted:
12/16/2005
6:34:26 am EST
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Views: 6,489
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Comments: 2
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Modern Santa a mix of old traditions
Author: Sarah Lewers Source: Guymon Daily Herald
Title: Modern Santa a mix of old traditions
The modern incarnation of Santa Claus is based on an amalgation of numerous traditional figures including an actual St. Nicholas.
The Fourth Century bishop, St. Nicholas of Myra, was born Patara in southern Turkey and died Dec. 6 in either 345 or 352 (accounts are unclear on this).
Legend holds St. Nicholas heard of a poor nobleman whose three daughters were to be sold to a brothel because he had no dowry for them to marry. St. Nicholas threw bags of gold for the girls dowries down the chimney and the bags landed in stockings tacked up to dry near the fire. This began the tradition of hanging stockings near the fire for Santa Claus.
After St. Nicholas' death, Italian bandits absconded with his remains and travelled with them to the city of Bari in southern Italy. His relics were installed in a church named in his honor and to this day are said to emit an oily substance believed to have medicinal benefits.
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Community Thoughts: There are 2 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Close | Dec 16th. at 3:00:50 pm EST
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dutch druid (breda, Netherlands) - Email Me
The part of St Nicolas is where the Dutch have gotten their 'Sinterklaas' from. And yes, celebrations take place on DEC 5th, called the evening of Sinterklaas.
The DEC 25th trad was derived from that. (not the other way round)
Also, regarding the Norse connection: Sinterklaas is surrounded by servants called 'Black Jacks", a refference to Hugin and Munin (the ravens of Odin) . And he rides a white horse as does Odin.
Blessed Yuletime to all.
DutchDruid
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| Old Traditions | Dec 16th. at 11:10:37 am EST
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Rhiannon (Shamokin, Pennsylvania) - Email Me
Too bad they missed out on much older "Santa" traditions. Like Santa may have derived from shamans ascending the "world tree" to obtain the gift of wisdom. I'd highly recommend the book Winter Solstice - The Sacred Traditions of Christmas by John Matthews. Although it may or may not be completely accurate (how can we really know what went on in our ancestors minds?) it does have some amazing possible explanations for the traditions and customs surrounding the midwinter festivities.
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