Saint Nicholas of Myra was a 4th century Catholic (i.e. Christian) bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In Europe (more precisely the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany) he is still portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes. Long after his death, the relics of St. Nicholas were transported to Bari in southern Italy.
Do I believe in Santa Claus? Yes. Why? I believe in Santa Claus, because he is real. He lives in heaven, as do all who have died in God's friendship. This is a truth of the Christian faith.
CHRISTIANS: Why do you sit back - and even occasionaly join in - when this great saint is mocked and reduced to some children's fairy tale?
2007-12-17 03:36:47 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Don't forget: He also is said to have punched the heretic Arius in the nose at the First Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.
2007-12-17 03:41:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as fairy-tales are known as such, that's fine. I do not mock Santa Claus and I haven't seen any questions that do. The closest to mocking I've seen is along the lines of he's not real, why believe God is.
I've heard a few diff. versions of the same basic thing. Some old rich guy bought the kids in his village a bunch of toys (for whatever reason). The tale came to America through immigrants, the Coke company used the image for an advertising gig in the 1920's and the image took off.
Whatever you believe happened after he died, the fact is he died and there are very deserving individuals who do not get Xmas presents every year b/c of their circumstances.
2007-12-17 03:52:52 · answer #2 · answered by strpenta 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Santa Claus fable was based on an actual person. Saint Nicholas of Myra. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor and thus began the folklore of Saint Nicholas who over the years became known as Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Santa Claus..etc..etc..etc..
2016-05-24 08:34:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claus and Saint Nick aren't really the same person.
Santa Claus is a person, created from the imagination of different countries, and religious beliefs the fat jolly man we have at the moment is based on the Pagan Winter god) and changed by media publicity to sell toys.
Santa Claus was originally based on Saint Nick but he has evolved and Saint Nick has become unknown
2007-12-17 03:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by Alex - Æsahættr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. We should teach our children the truth about St. Nicholas the Wonder worker, that the East and the West share. The children at church just had a play to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, and my 4 year old really learned a lot from it. Every Liturgy we sing this to our Patron Saint, Troparion of Saint Nicholas
"You were revealed to your flock as a measure of faith. You were the image of humility and a teacher of self-control. Because of your humble life, heaven was opened to you. Because of your poverty, spiritual riches were granted to you. O holy Bishop Nicholas we cry out to you: Pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved."
Not wanting to mock St. Nicholas was one of the main reasons we decided not to do the commercial Santa Clause with our son. We teach him about the truth, and the truth is St. Nicholas is alive in heaven with God and all the other saints.
2007-12-17 03:50:20 · answer #5 · answered by alexandersmommy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are right. A good Christian should not mock saints. I agree...
However, when a saint over shadows the birth of our Saviour, I just don't think it's a good thing.
Why does Saint Nick pick Jesus' birthday? Couldn't he do it on another week? This is the birth of Christ and gifts should be exchanged with Jesus as the reason.
2007-12-17 03:44:43 · answer #6 · answered by Carol 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ummmmmmmkay. Got a story to back up the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy?
2007-12-17 03:46:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes Saint Nicholas was probably real, whereas Santa Claus is imaginary (sorry kids...).
2007-12-17 03:40:49 · answer #8 · answered by cosmo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because "Saint Nick" and "Santa" are two completely different people.
St. Nicholas was a real person, whereas Santa is a creation of Coca-Cola.
2007-12-17 03:48:25 · answer #9 · answered by CanadianFundamentalist 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because Christmas is about the birth of Christ not Santa Claus i don't care what he did not to sound harsh.Christmas is beign takin over by Santa an people don't know the real reason for it
2007-12-17 03:48:38 · answer #10 · answered by Eric C 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋