On this date (Dec. 6) in the year 346, Άγιος Νικόλαος died. His Anglicized name was Nikolaos of Myra, a Greek Bishop of Myra (which is now Demre – in modern-day Turkey). He became known as Saint Nicholas – the man who became Santa Claus. That name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas.
We’ve all heard the stores about how he cared for people (children especially) by putting coins in the shoes they left out for him. But there are more intriguing stories about him. There’s one legend about a butcher who, in time of great famine, lured three people (either children, or adult clerks, depending on the version of the legend you read) into his shop, and butchered them – intending to sell them as either ham or meat pies (again, depending on which story you read). Saint Nick saw through the ruse and brought the people back to life.
In another story, in the cover of night (to protect his anonymity), he gave money to a poor man who couldn’t afford dowry for his daughters. Saint Nick’s gifts kept these women from a life of prostitution. Of course, since this story has been told through the centuries, I’d say his attempt at anonymity was an epic fail!
In my favorite Saint Nick tale, there was a ship at the port that was full of wheat for the Byzantine Emperor. Nicky asked the sailors to unload some of the wheat to help the local famine victims. They refused at first, because they knew that the wheat had been weighed when it was loaded on, and any shortage would be taken out of their pockets. Nick promised that they wouldn’t have to pay anything, so they agreed and unloaded enough wheat to last 2 full years of both eating and sowing. When the sailors finally arrived at Byzantium, the weight of the wheat hadn’t changed a bit – they were off the hook.
I like these stories. In a time when our society is totally focused on selfishness, greed, and finding new ways to make the rich even richer while telling the poor that they don’t need any help, they just need to get a job… it’s nice to read about people who are remembered (and even venerated) because of selflessness and generosity.
In a world where we have it easily within our power to eliminate global hunger (financially, the US could contribute sufficient money without making a dent in our budget), it’s heartbreaking when we see that it’s only the selfishness and greed of a few hundred people that is keeping us from ensuring that everyone in the world has sufficient nutrition for a healthy life.
I know it’s not enough that we simply celebrate the generosity of some (I am blown away by the Giving Pledge by Gates, Buffett, et al), but maybe the example of Saint Nick, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and others can be inspiring as we enter the holiday season.
Merry Christmas all… and seriously – peace on earth, and goodwill to men (and women!)…