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St. Nicholas did not come up with Santa. Santa was basically invented by the commercial industry as a gimmick to improve sales at Christmas. Nicholas, whose feast day is on December 6, is celebrated in many areas of the world, especially parts of Europe, but, in reality, has no connection to Christmas and, therefore, no connection to Santa.

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What's in the barrel of a Saint Bernard?

A Saint Bernard's barrel typically contains a small amount of brandy or other liquid to warm up lost travelers in cold conditions.


Where did Saint Augustine of Hippo grow up?

Saint Augustine of Hippo grew up in Thagaste, a city in the Roman province of Numidia (modern-day Algeria). He later moved to Carthage for his education and eventually settled in Rome and Milan before his conversion to Christianity.


What were Saint Nicholas' virtues?

First of all, St. Nicholas, like all saints, stood up for the truth of God. Nicholas lived through the persecutions of Diocletian, one of the last Roman emperors who persecuted Christians in the 4th century. Under the threat of imprisonment and even possible death, Nicholas continued to preach the love of God and proclaim His truth. And he suffered for it. The Romans imprisoned him and threatened his life, yet he wouldn't deny the truth, nor waver in his strict stance for the standards of the Gospel. This same zeal for the truth came out during the First Ecumenical Council, when Nicholas the bishop defended the fullness of our faith - that Jesus was fully God and one with the Father - against various false teachings that were very popular during his day.His courage and boldness to live out a Christ-like life, and incarnate the truth, even when the surrounding society ridiculed and even threatened such a lifestyle, is something with which we contemporary Christians must learn. Christianity, as an authentic way of life, is not for the fainthearted. Christianity was never meant to be a 'status-quo,' comfortable, easy religion of the masses. Christ called his followers to a life of divine love, which automatically implies a life of sacrifice and humble service to others. This is why Jesus reminded us that few people will have the courage and commitment to walk that narrow path!Nicholas needed to fight against the temptation of self-centeredness - an illness of our fallen nature that plagues each of us - and he did this by constantly looking for ways to reach out to others, especially helping the oppressed, defenseless and marginalized people of society. Bishop Nicholas was not a leader who reveled in power and authority, but he understood himself as a disciple of the One who washed His disciples' feet and who constantly cared for the poor. Being a Christian is all about serving others, thus Christian leadership must be servant leadership - always placing the needs of others before ourselves!We have many stories of Nicholas reaching out in compassion and kindness to the orphaned, to the estranged, to the prisoners, and especially to the defenseless. As I try to repeat in many of my sermons, sincere Christianity points to "the other," to those outside of ourselves. Love of God means love of our neighbor, and love of the other. We as Christians, and the Church as the Body of Christ, must always have our central attention on charity, outreach and mission - bringing God's love to others!His generosity, Bishop Nicholas suffered the life of an orphan, having lost both his parents in his teenage years. Yet from the moment that Nicholas received a rich inheritance, he understood good Christian Stewardship, and generously distributed his wealth to those in need. He did not seek to use his wealth for his own well-being and comfort, but realized that his wealth represented a test and temptation, and thus used it to enrich others!An aspect that St. Nicholas so beautifully exemplified was his giving in the spirit of anonymity. He gave generously, but never for fame or for praise. He simply gave because he understood how generous God was to him first. Everything he had was God's, and he didn't want to take credit for anything he gave away. How much can we all learn from that, in this day and age - to give in a secret manner, all for the glory of God!A courageous and bold defender of the truth, a compassionate and loving helper of the defenseless and needy, and a generous and humble steward of God's gifts - these represent some of the many virtues of the true Santa Claus, St. Nicholas.


How do you know nicholas flamel is still alive?

Once tomb robbers went to his grave, bug it up, opened it up...and no body, just rocks. Plus, after he "died" there was a book published under his name. Plus there SUPPOSEDLY have been sightings


Did Aristotle come up with the idea of state?

Aristotle did not come up with the idea of the state, but he did write extensively on the concept in his work "Politics." He viewed the state as a natural institution necessary for human flourishing, and his ideas have had a lasting influence on political thought.

Related Questions

Why did people make up Santa Claus?

No one made him up. Santa originated from a real person, Saint Nicholas, who would bring gifts to the poor. Santa Claus just evolved out of Saint Nicholas


Who was the saint that gave toys to children?

Saint Nicholas of Myra is credited with secretly giving money donations to the needy but not for giving toys to children. That is a legend that grew up around him when people decided to change him into Santa Claus.


Why does Santa live in the Arctic?

Because that was the story that was made up.


Who thought of the name Santa Claus?

No one "came up with the idea". Santa originated from a real saint, Saint Nicholas, who would bring gifts to the poor. Santa Claus just evolved out of Saint Nicholas.


What country has one evil Santa and one good Santa?

there are no evil santa it's just a make up stroy from santa clause 2 so the good santa lived in the north poleActually, some countries such as France have 2 "Santa Clauses", however they are not called "Santa Claus". In France, one is called Saint Nicholas and one is called Père Fouettard. These names mean Saint Nicholas and the other means Father Whip. Saint Nicholas gives presents to the children who have been good, and Father Whip, well, whips the kids who have been bad.


Is santa a made up?

Santa originated from a real saint, Saint Nicholas, who brought gifts to children. But Santa "made up"? Gee wiz, NO. Plenty of adults who were once children can tell you, Santa's goodness of heart is never a 'made up character' or character trait.


When is it a good time to tell children that Santa is not real?

We tried to keep up the Santa traditions as long as possible! YOu know, boot prints on the hearth, leaving the milk half drunk by Santa, and a bite fo cookie left, leaving unwrapped gifts and candy in the stockings...etc. Then, when the children started talking with other kids, who "knew" Santa wasn't real, we decided to come clean. But in a way that helps to preserve the "original" Saint Nicholas story. We told them that there was a Saint Nicholas...but that he was no longer living, and to preserve his memory and good will toward men (and children) people tried to do as Saint Nicholas would dom bringing gifts to others...and obviously that is why there are Santas at every department store. The magic was there...and the legend remains intact forever.


What are three songs that are about Santa cluase?

snt. Nicholas, santa is coming to town, up on the house top


Did santa used to be real?

Yes. St Nicholas was a Christian, born in Turkey who became Bishop of Myra. Several miracles are associated with him including the raising to life of three boys murdered by an evil innkeeper and stilling a storm at sea. As a result he became the patron saint of children and sailors. The name 'Santa Claus' is dutch for Saint Nicholas. Nicholas also inherited a great deal of money from rich parents which he gave to the poor in secret. A story goes that he gave three bags of gold to a father of three girls who could not afford their dowries for them to marry. Nicholas dropped the gold down the chimney (to preserve the secrecy) where they fell into socks or shoes hanging in the fireplace to dry. This gave rise to the custom of children hanging up their stockings at Christmas eve. From this story Nicholas became the patron saint of the poor and of pawnbrokers, and to this day the pawnbroker sign is three golden balls hanging fom a frame (representing the three bags of gold). There was apparently a Saint Nicholas, from which the modern Santa Claus is derived from.


What day does StNick Come in 2010?

St Nicholas comes December 5th so when you wake up on the 6th you can look in your stocking. Santa Clause comes on Christmas.


What is Santas post code?

Santa doesnt have a post code. Most postal services will accurately deliver mail to Saint Nicholas (Or Santa Claus if you prefer) The North Pole In these modern days Santa keeps up with the times and has a personal website operated by his elves. Check the related links below.


Is Santa Claus part of Christianity?

In a way, yes. The 'Father Christmas' figure in a flying sleigh is not - as this depiction of Santa Claus is fictional and resulted from the mixture of Norse mythology and the Christmas story. However, Santa Claus, as any child knows, really exists - or at least existed a long time ago and his spirit still lives on. 'Santa' actually means 'Saint' (where we get 'sanctify and Santa Maria from) and Claus (pronounced Klowss) is the shortened form of the name Nicholas. So Santa Claus is Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was born in Turkey, was a devout Christian and became Bishop of Myra (hence his red robes as 'Father Christmas'). He inherited a large fortune from his parents which he gave, in secret, to the poor. Legend has it that he once left three bags of gold in secret for a father who had three daughters but who would be forced to sell them into slavery as he was too poor to marry them off. He did this by dropping the bags down the chimney where they ended up in the fireplace in shoes (or socks?) drying there. This is where we get our custom of 'hanging up the stockings' from on Christmas Eve. As a result of his good life Nicholas was made a saint and became the patron saint of poor people and of pawnbrokers - hence the pawnbroker sign of three golden balls (representing the three bags of gold). Many miracles were attributed to Nicholas including stilling a storm at sea, and bringing back to life three boys murdered by a cruel innkeeper. As a result Nicholas was made patron saint of sailors and children. So at Christmas, when we give and receive presents as a reminder of the gifts given to the Christ Child by the Wise Men, let's not forget that St Nicholas's spirit of freely giving - in secret - lives on in the traditional Santa Claus.