Matt's Person of the Month: St. Nicholas

Most people when they hear the name of St. Nick, they immediately think of Santa Claus. But there once actually lived a generous man whose legacy would turn into the man as we would later know as Santa Claus.

In 270 AD, far from the North Pole, in the village of Patara (when he was around it was Greek, but it is now the southern coast of Turkey), Nicholas was born. Not much is known of his childhood other than his parents were wealthy and instilled in him a devotion to the teachings of Christ. His parents died in an epidemic while he was young and bequeathing everything to him.

With his devotion, he would become a priest and then ultimately the Bishop of Myra. This still being a time of Christian persecution under Diocletian, Nicholas was exiled and imprisoned for his faith. Eventually, he would be released when the empire of Rome converted to Christianity. Nicholas would also be present at the Council of Nicea. On December 6th, 343 AD, Nicholas would leave this world. For any Catholics out there ( or Anglican or Orthodox) his feast day is December 6th.

I know the biography seems short, but so little is actually known about him that can actually be "verified". Now, I know you are asking, so how does this little tale lead us to him being Santa Claus? Read on, if you please.

With all the inheritance left to him, Nicholas would donate a vast majority of it. There is a tale of an old man with three daughters. The man having no money for a dowry knew that his daughters would not marry and probably fall into prostitution out of necessity. Nicholas, hearing of this, ventured to the man's house and while all were asleep through a bag of gold through the window so he would have a dowry for his daughter. He would repeat this act when his other two daughters reached the age for marriage.

Now, there are some variants to this legend. Some claim that the bags of gold landed in the shoes of the man (hence, why the Dutch leave out clogs) or that they landed in the socks that were drying over the fireplace (hence, why we have stockings). But with any account, Nicholas giving a selfless gift to someone deserving of it.

With every culture, adds a little more to him. In the Netherlands, he is Sinterklaas who rides a horse. Also, he is depicted as a bishop. In England, he is Father Christmas (which is a modified Odin figure). Father Christmas ( not so much anymore) was the spirit of good cheer during Christmastime, not as a gift-giver. But as America formed from a heavy influx of English, Irish, German, and Dutch, the versions of the Dutch Sinterklaas and the English Father Christmas merged to form the American version of Santa Claus.

So, hopefully without going into too much detail, I have shown you the man behind the myth. I implore you to check out other countries "St. Nick" and see what areas of their cultures are in our cultural version of St. Nicholas' legacy.

And remember, he is always watching and he's gonna find out if you are naughty or nice.