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Santa Claus Asheville NC And Saint Nicholas

By Mary Moore


In most Christian households, Christmas is a religious holiday. While this is the case, there are also those whom celebrate Yule. In either case, there are often brightly lit trees, holiday ales and presents. For, whether or not a family celebrates the birth of Jesus which is seen as the ultimate gift in the Christian faith, most celebrate the gift giving ideology behind a red suited, white haired, white bearded Santa Claus Asheville NC.

The original Saint Nicholas like present day Santa Claus was a giver of gifts, most often secretly. While most often known as Saint Nick, the real Saint Nicholas is also known as the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, thieves, repentant thieves, children, brewers and pawnbrokers. As such, it is easy to see how the tradition of Santa Claus and the associated practices came from the real life history of the saint.

It is most likely the secret sharing of gifts by the saint which closely matches current day Santa Claus or Saint Nick. Whereas, little else remains known about the original Saint Nicholas. In most cases, the accounts of the life of the saint were written hundreds of years following his death. As such, even the information on hand remains questionable as most of the details are based on legends and myths which have been handed down through centuries.

One of the first miracles attributed to Saint Nicholas is having saved three young ladies from a life of sin and prostitution. In doing so, the saint dropped bags of gold coins outside the window of each girl for three nights so the father of the girls could provide a dowry for each one in order to attract husbands.

One legend suggest the saint once made a long pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine. While in the area, the saint is believed to have become the Bishop of Myra. Most often, this is believed to be the case. Whereas, there are others whom suggest the position was short lived as it is also reported that the saint had been imprisoned during this time.

In regards to internment in prison, there is some confusion. For, there are also a list of accomplishments regarding the saint during that time. In one case, it appears Saint Nicholas attended the First Council of Nicea in 325 A. D. At the same time, there is no mention of the saint either having been spoken by those at the council, or any documents suggesting the saint was present.

One of the most interesting and bizarre tales suggests the Saint resurrected the bodies of three murdered children whom, if Saint Nicholas would not have done so could have been pickled and sold as pork by a local butcher during a famine. While, it appears there is little truth to the story, times were very hard so there are actually some whom believe the story may not have been beyond comprehension.

To celebrate the life and miracles of the saint, the Saint Nicholas Church was built in honor of the saint. After which, the remains of Saint Nicholas were placed in a sarcophagus in the church. Later, the bones of the Saint were enshrined in the Basillica in the hometown of Saint Nicholas.




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