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December 6...Second Sunday of Advent...Saint Nicholas Day |
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http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38
The link above is to a fascinating website dedicated to the life and legends of Saint Nicholas who became one of the most beloved and venerated saints in both the Western and Eastern Church. Today is his feastday, which falls this year on the Second Sunday of Advent. The site is well worth visiting and can help to appreciate how this rather ancient Saint ( 4th century) became so central a figure in our Christmas lore.
He is, of course, the origin of the figure of "Santa Claus": it is no great linguistic leap to go from Sanctus Nicolaus....Santo Nicolo...Sint Niklaas...to the name we use today in English. "Jolly Old Saint Nick" is dressed in red with white furring; similar to the winter choir dress of a Bishop or Cardinal.
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