Sinterklaas at Tannenbaum

Sinterklaas may join us this year at Tannenbaum

Let me tel you a true story of a 4^th century Roman senator from the ancient multicultural province of Lycia situated on the southern coast of Turkey.

To set the stage, this area of the Mediterranean, shares a history which started before the Egyptians with Anthony and Cleopatra, ran through ancient Greek times with the mythical Helen of Troy that sparked the Trojan wars, was pivotal in the Persian wars, it was invaded by Alexander the Great, and for many years became part of the Ottoman Empire. In later years it would be invaded by the crusaders. This area eventually returned to Roman rule when the events of this story took place. On a trivial note, history has it that the Roman governing articles and their democratic principles of that time in Lycia influenced the framework that lead to the constitution of the United States of American.

As you can imagine there was lots happening to influence the origins of many of the cultures that we know today and there is no wonder that these cultures have similar threads about this celebrated person that has survived the passage of time.

 Senator Nikolaos was an only child born to a wealthy family and lost both parents at an early age. Nikolaos was then brought up by an uncle that was a bishop who ordained Nikolaos into Christianity who in turn became a bishop at a very early age. It is this which influenced the practice of child bishops which was later abolished in England by Henry the V111. The practice continued in Germany and spread throughout Europe.

 Due to this highly regarded clerical position Nikolaos became a very influential head of state which attracted a political role in the Roman Senate. Senator Nikolaos would now need to be careful not to be seen to compromise situations that would deteriorate his status in the community.

During a period of famine it was feared that a local butcher kidnapped the naughty children and made them into mince pies until Senator Nikolaos found them and escorted them to a safe return.

Stories of rescuing black slaves bound for the gallows and putting them to good use by looking after and protecting the physically and mentally challenged who were constantly teased until they displayed aggression, brings rise to the creation of the demon character from Scandinavia known as Krampus who eats children that misbehave.

A close acquaintance of the senator was experiencing financial difficulties and could not afford dowries for his three daughters. When the daughters came of age they each received a purse of gold that Nikolaos provided incognito. The most bizarre story was when in the event of preserving Nikolaos identity the gifts to the youngest daughter were dropped down the chimney and the small parcels descended and lodged in her stockings that were hung out to dry over the embers in the fireplace.

Nikolaos was renowned for generosity and during the ages among the many unexplained events that have been deemed as miraculous Nikolaos’s patronage included Sailors and horses which bear their own unique stories. A sainthood was inevitable. Besides being hailed as the patron saint of children, The marketing world, Christianity and historians have chosen to focus on events that have created a house hold name.

The Western world now would recognise this character to be Santa Clause, People of the Netherlands have Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piets, The Northern Europeans have Saint Nicholas and Krampus.

The sentiments and good will to others have been set by this wonderful ancient character and now, having a broader understanding of this moment, we can all enjoy this Yuletide gathering and take this event to the next level by passing it on to following generations in a memorable fashion by indulging and sharing our talents by unleashing them, on and around, this Christmas Tannenbaum.