An Odd Christmas Request

[LadyLocust]

You all might think me silly, and you might be right so be forewarned.

There used to be a magazine called Victorian Decorating and Lifestyles. Sometime in the late 90's, there was an article to the effect of "The Real St. Nicholas." It told in such a "genteel" fashion about how he was a Turkish priest and gave children biscuits Christmas eve during a time when children were last to eat (and often didn't) and considered a burden as often as a blessing. It was what I used to explain to my children about the Santa Clause they see in the marts and the real human being who once lived. I had my copy in a notebook where I keep misc. articles. I remember lending it out to someone to read and can't remember if I got it back or not. If I did, I didn't put it where it belonged and now I can't find it. If any of you have the old magazines or know someone who does, I would purchase it or be grateful for a copy of the 1 article. It's obviously in the Dec/Jan edition. There are other publications about St. Nick, but I appreciated how that one was written I guess.
I have one more tote to check but don't hold out a lot of hope & haven't been able to find it online.
Blessings~

 

[backlash]

The real St. Nicholas lived a long time ago in a place called Asia Minor. It is now the country of Turkey. His family was Greek and his name was Nicholas.

Nicholas’ parents died when he was a teenager. They left him a lot of money which made him a rich young man. Nicholas went to live with his uncle who was a priest.
Nicholas heard about a man who had lost all his money. He had three daughters who were old enough to get married. But in those days young women had to have money in order to get married. This money was a “dowry” and it was used to help the new family get started. If you didn’t have dowry money, you didn’t get married.

This family was so poor they had nothing left to eat. The daughters were going to be sold as slaves because they couldn’t live at home any longer. They were very sad. They wouldn’t be able to have families of their own. And they would have to be slaves—no longer able to decide where they would live or what they would do.

The night before the oldest daughter was to be sold, she washed her stockings and put them in front of the fire to dry. Then all of them went to sleep—the father and the three daughters.


In the morning the daughter saw a lump in her stocking. Reaching in, she found a small, heavy bag. It had gold inside! Enough to provide food for the family and money for her dowry. Oh, how happy they were!

The next morning, another bag with gold was found. Imagine! Two of the daughters would now be saved. Such joy!

And the next night, the father planned to stay awake to find out who was helping his daughters. He dozed off, but heard a small “clink” as another bag landed in the room. Quickly he jumped up and ran out the door. Who did he catch ducking around the corner?

Nicholas, the young man who lived with his uncle. “Nicholas, it is you! Thank you for helping us—I hardly know what to say!” Nicholas said, “Please, do not thank me—thank God that your prayers have been answered. Do not tell others about me.”

Nicholas continued helping people. He always tried to help secretly. He didn’t want any attention or thanks. Years passed and he was chosen to be a bishop. Bishops look after their people as shepherds look after their sheep. And that is what Nicholas did. When there wasn’t any food, he found wheat; so no one went hungry. He always helped people in trouble. All his life Nicholas showed people how to love God and care for each other.

Everyone loved Nicholas. After he died, they told stories of the good and kind things Nicholas had done. Sailors took these stories about Nicholas everywhere they went. Some of the stories were about his special care for children—helping and protecting them when danger threatened. And so more and more people learned about good, kind Nicholas. They wanted to be like him. He is an example of how we should live. And that is why he is a saint.

This is the story of the real St. Nicholas. To this day people say that St. Nicholas, or Santa, is the special friend of children.

—Carol Myers

 

[LadyLocust]

The real St. Nicholas lived a long time ago in a place called Asia Minor. It is now the country of Turkey. His family was Greek and his name was Nicholas.

Nicholas’ parents died when he was a teenager. They left him a lot of money which made him a rich young man. Nicholas went to live with his uncle who was a priest.
Nicholas heard about a man who had lost all his money. He had three daughters who were old enough to get married. But in those days young women had to have money in order to get married. This money was a “dowry” and it was used to help the new family get started. If you didn’t have dowry money, you didn’t get married.

This family was so poor they had nothing left to eat. The daughters were going to be sold as slaves because they couldn’t live at home any longer. They were very sad. They wouldn’t be able to have families of their own. And they would have to be slaves—no longer able to decide where they would live or what they would do.

The night before the oldest daughter was to be sold, she washed her stockings and put them in front of the fire to dry. Then all of them went to sleep—the father and the three daughters.


In the morning the daughter saw a lump in her stocking. Reaching in, she found a small, heavy bag. It had gold inside! Enough to provide food for the family and money for her dowry. Oh, how happy they were!

The next morning, another bag with gold was found. Imagine! Two of the daughters would now be saved. Such joy!

And the next night, the father planned to stay awake to find out who was helping his daughters. He dozed off, but heard a small “clink” as another bag landed in the room. Quickly he jumped up and ran out the door. Who did he catch ducking around the corner?

Nicholas, the young man who lived with his uncle. “Nicholas, it is you! Thank you for helping us—I hardly know what to say!” Nicholas said, “Please, do not thank me—thank God that your prayers have been answered. Do not tell others about me.”

Nicholas continued helping people. He always tried to help secretly. He didn’t want any attention or thanks. Years passed and he was chosen to be a bishop. Bishops look after their people as shepherds look after their sheep. And that is what Nicholas did. When there wasn’t any food, he found wheat; so no one went hungry. He always helped people in trouble. All his life Nicholas showed people how to love God and care for each other.

Everyone loved Nicholas. After he died, they told stories of the good and kind things Nicholas had done. Sailors took these stories about Nicholas everywhere they went. Some of the stories were about his special care for children—helping and protecting them when danger threatened. And so more and more people learned about good, kind Nicholas. They wanted to be like him. He is an example of how we should live. And that is why he is a saint.

This is the story of the real St. Nicholas. To this day people say that St. Nicholas, or Santa, is the special friend of children.

—Carol Myers

A different story, but the same kindness & love~

 

[Peanut]

What is it? Library of congress? The place in DC where all print media is collected and stored? They would have copies. How to access those copies I haven't a clue...

 

[LadyLocust]

What is it? Library of congress? The place in DC where all print media is collected and stored? They would have copies. How to access those copies I haven't a clue...

I never thought of that. That’s my favorite of the DC political buildings- beautiful. A gazillion books for the eye to feast upon doesn’t hurt either.