a tradition lingers in Europe, especially Holland and France. it is giving gifts, on December 6, the birthday of Saint Nicholas whose relics were stolen from Turkey, taken to Bari, Italy , in the eleventh century. Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Kris Kringle and Sinte Klaas are names for SAINT NICHOLAS in HIS MODERN METAMORPHOSIS INTO SANTA CLAUS.
SAINT NICHOLAS was the Bishop of Myra, which is now Mugla in Turkey, he lived in the fourth century. St. Nicholas is patron saint of Russia, merchants, apothecaries , unmarried women, and those on the sea. famous for his loving kindness and generosities, he often mysteriously SUPPLIED FOOD AND CLOTHING FOR PEOPLE IN NEED. he brought dead people back to life and bags of gold were provided in strange ways when required.
old Scandinavian folklore tales recount that the wizard, Saint Nicholas rides his white horse down from heaven on the eve of his birthday to visit and “prepare hearts for the oncoming of the CHRISTOS.” supposedly, he comes with a servant, Ruprecht, who carries a bag of candies, toys and birch twigs to discipline children who do not deserve gifts this year. children would leave a beverage, hay or carrots for that special white horse. when awakened December 7, there was a special handmade gift, lebkuchen, the German honey cake and some candy.
one way to rescue December 25th from materialism and popular frenzy of a twenty four hour celebration is to return December to it’s spiritual traditions as preparation time for bringing forth the LIGHT of a cosmic person, within each earthling. it is the season to appreciate LIGHT that shines in darkness, CONSTANTLY DESIGNING CHAOS BACK INTO INNATE DIVINE ORDER. a wish we have to share, to give, to extend what we have to others is the most natural heritage as spiritual beings. setting gift giving times, on other days, has already been done in other cultures. practices of cookie making, quiet times and reading traditions to FIND OTHER RITUALS TO ADOPT FOR YOUR FAMILY could help rescue Christmas. we could return it to a preparation to remember who we are, celebrating the urge to share, everyday.
GIVING LIGHTS CANDLES in the dark night of souls. we each have that impulse to give since birth…one December day is not adequate to celebrate who we are called to become. keep a picture of Saint Nicholas all year, GIVING CAUSES YOU TO BE WHO YOU REALLY ARE…
