Wishing a Merry Christmas

[Cowgirl]

Just wanted to wish all you GS's a MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

[bowtwi]

Nice to see you around here, Cowgirl! Merry Christmas to you, too!

[Suda]

Thanks. And a Merry Christmas to you, too!

Suda

[polar bear]

Merr Christmas-All the best to you and your children.

[Sudo]

I love the picture, Cowgirl. Every now and then we have snow down here in Memphis for Christmas. Merry Christmas to you too up there in Canada!!

sudo

[JCHEV]

.Merry Christmas to you too... http://www.blueyze.us/christmasindixie.html Jim

[Kit Sober]

Who is this Santa Clause?

The "Santa Connection" — How a Generous and Kind-Hearted Bishop became a Tradition for Many at Christmas

by IC Staff/AH : Dec 18, 2006 : Indiancatholic.com

http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=251

"The young Nicholas, because of true Christian spirit, used all his wealth to help the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Gradually, when he became a bishop, he came to be known for his generosity and love for the poor."

Yes Virginia, there really was a "Santa Claus" and, though he didn't fly up chimneys, he did give gifts to needy children.

Back in the fourth century, in Myra; a city in the land we call Turkey today, lived a boy named Nicholas, born of wealthy, Catholic parents, whom he lost while he was still young. As he grew into a man, Nicholas used his wealth to help the needy and the sick. Later, as a bishop, he became known for his generosity and desire to help the poor, and for his practice of giving to the needy in secret, especially to children. However, Roman Emperor Diocletian, who hated and persecuted Christians, eventually had Bishop Nicholas exiled and imprisoned. (Pictured: St. Nichlolas puts a toy in a child's shoe.)

Nicholas was released upon the entry of the new Emperor Constantine, who was sympathetic toward Christians. Reportedly, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and died on Dec. 6th, 343 AD, the anniversary of which became a celebration known as St. Nicholas day.

As Christianity spread, so did the honoring of St. Nicholas, and his lifestyle of giving to others. When it reached Holland, St. Nicholas was translated "Sinter Klaas" in the Dutch language, and stories were told of his arrival by ship, and how he rode a large white horse which could gallop over rooftops.

As America adopted the custom, and changed the name yet again to Santa Claus, his image changed from Bishop to "a right jolly old elf," which came from the poem written in 1822, by Clement Clark Moore: The Night Before Christmas.

Now that you know Santa's history, the next time you're bothered by the commercialization of Christmas, take some comfort in who Santa Claus really was...a man who understood the heart of God, and the example Jesus gave us, to the point where giving to others from a heart of generosity became his lifestyle, and his reputation.