Good Old Saint Nick

Everyone loves the story, the idea of Santa Claus, a jolly, plump elderly gentleman who likes to defy the laws of physics by trespassing into households through chimneys, not to take, but to give. He drives a sled of flying reindeer whose bells tinkle merrily as they land lightly, somehow without crashing through, on rooftops. We are called upon to leave behind cookies and milk for his troubles – it is important to maintain that hefty physique. After all, he needs that extra layer for warmth!

Santa Claus is based on an actual man named Saint Nicholas who was also the Bishop of Myra. Though some historians argue there is no proof such a person existed, he is still a canonized saint in the Catholic church and there is documentation of his relics changing location in the year 1087 to Bari in southern Italy. The Bishop had a reputation for secret gift-giving and acting on behalf of distressed children. One of the most famous stories of Saint Nicholas’ heroism involved three children who were kidnapped by a wicked butcher, whom he rescued and returned safely to their parents.

Saint Nicholas has been attributed to performing a few miracles and acts of bravery. In the miracle category he is credited with halting a storm at sea in order to save three drowning sailors, and resurrecting children who had been killed. As for acts of bravery, it is told that he once grabbed the sword of an executioner to save a political prisoner, and for kindness he anonymously threw gifts into the homes of children. Historians who do not believe Saint Nicholas ever existed believe that stories about him are simply re-imagined from pagan myths about Poseidon, Neptune, and the Tuetonic god Hold Nykar. Nykar means, “the sailor,” and this camp believes this is where Saint Nicholas got his name. It is interesting that even the existence of the historical Saint Nicholas is questioned.

The historical Saint Nick acts as patron saint for children, sailors and ships, and the wrongfully accused. Depictions of the historical Saint Nicholas do not show a portly fellow, though he does have a healthy and trimmed white beard.