On 2002-04-03 02:00, "Michael J. Hu=DFmann" <michael_at_michael-hussmann.de>
wrote:
> Eric L. Strobel (fyzycyst_at_comcast.net) wrote:
>=20
>> Actually, St. Nicholas was a (IIRC) 4th Century Christian in what is mod=
ern
>> day Turkey. So, no, he's not Biblical, but no "pagan roots" either.
>
> Yes, the name "Santa Claus" was derived (via "Sante Klaas" in Dutch) from=
St.
> Nicholas, [...]
"Sinterklaas", actually.
> [...] but this Nicholas was a bishop of Myra -- he didn't live at the Nor=
th
> pole, ride in a sleigh drawn by reindeer etc., nor was he ever believed t=
o do
> so.
Indeed. Instead, according to Dutch folklore, he lives in a castle in Spain=
,
has a black (moorish) servant, rides his white horse over the rooftops and
sends his servant down the chimneys to put presents in childrens' shoes. If
you've been good, that is... If you've been bad, you'll be put in a sack,
taken to spain and spanked.
,xtG
.tsooJ
--=20
Joost van de Griek
http://www.jvdg.net/
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