Tis the season.
has a handful of interesting articles. But this one caught my eye.
During the third century, in a small village in Turkey, a boy was born. His name was Nicholas, and he grew to be a Bishop, whole-heartedly embracing the giving side of the job. Little is known about the actual conditions and stories of his life, but one tale has managed to emerge. It is a story about a man with three daughters, who was so poor that he believed his only option was to prostitute his three girls. During the night, Nicholas crept to the man’s house, and delivered three sacks of gifts, enough to be thought of as a dowry for each girl, and encourage money and marriage to follow. This kind of action ensured that after his death, Bishop Nicholas became a saint. The village he had graced was near the sea, a bustling port filled with sailors, and thus Saint Nicholas became the patron of seamen. His story travelled with these sailors all over the world and soon Christians everywhere had heard the story of the Saint Nicholas of Turkey, the secret night-time gift-giver.
The article ends with:
the original Saint’s story has lost it’s appeal of giving and helping others in their hour of need. Now Santa stands for nothing. He lives in Lapland, travels around the world and is simply a reason to try and persuade your children to be good for the weeks leading up to the festive season. Visiting Santa in his grotto, sitting on his lap, or even travelling to Lapland to see him is just another money spinning idea from the various companies that offer it.
The Christmas we celebrate today, the secular Christmas with Santa is so far removed from the beginnings of simple giving and appreciation that it’s nuts. But my kids love it. Or do they? Right now they’re sitting on the sofa watching tv, one has a cold and is sniffling and feeling miserable, the other is entertaining himself with his toy cars. Simple cars, they don’t light up or drive themselves and they’re being driven round a town made or toilet roll inners. He’s having a great time. They both asked if we could just stay home today because they’ve had too much Christmas. There’s still 4 days, 3 parties and more excitement to go yet!
How many of us get into debt over this? How many toys will be broken or abandoned by Boxing day - because there’s just too much? How many people have nothing? No home, no food, let alone a full Christmas dinner? Every year we try to give something to someone who has less than us. I know this years gifts reached their recipients and were appreciated.
I don’t want to say no to Christmas totally but a serious scaling down is in order, at least in my house. We’re working on it and each year we get less gifts and send fewer cards.
Today it’s Winter Solstice. The shortest day, the longest night. Well, according to Gwydion McPagan it’s tomorrow. Evergreens are cherished at this time of year as a natural symbol of rebirth and life amid winter whiteness. Holly is particularly prized to decorate doors, windows and fireplaces because of its prickliness — to either ward off or snag and capture evil spirits before they could enter and harm a household. Fly paper for nasty pixies?
Anyway, my house is adorned with holly, a tree and tinsel. I have lights up inside and gifts hidden in the cupboard. There’s no snow but the grass is white with frost. I’m starting to ramble and it’s almost lunchtime.
Seasons Blessings to you all and I hope that some of the festive spirit can be spread about this year.
As a Christian who doesn’t celebrate Christmas, I believe I would if more Christians took the Saint’s example the other 364 days of the year.
That is my prayer at least.
Comment by DJ Black Adam — January 3, 2007 @ 10:23 pm