Re: [sc-users] Merry X-mas

[fons adriaensen <fons.adriaensen@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, Dec 25, 2005 at 06:24:08PM +0100, crucial felix wrote:
 
> st. nicholas was actually from turkey.

Yes, he was bishop at Myra, then part of the Roman empire.

> woden was a celtic with a long white beard and a flying horse.
> the catholic church merged the cults to try to take over the northern  
> pagans (includes sweden).
> "santa claus" is a dutch name.
> he has a red suit because its Coca Cola's corporate color and they  
> commissioned ads in the 1930s.

The Coca Cola story is certainly true, but the first shift from 6 Dec
to Christmas as a day to give presents was a result of the Reformation:
the cult of saints and figures such as Nicholas was much frowned upon
by the Protestants. This also explains the different customs in the
Catholic parts of Western Europe on one side, and the Protestant parts
and the US on the other side.

For children here in Belgium, and in The Netherlands, St. Nicholas 
comes from Spain, travelling by (steamer) boat. Each year he arrives
at the old Antwerp port, just a few hundred meters from where I live.
It's a big occasion and televised nationally.

Best wishes to all !

-- 
FA