Generous!

December 18th, 2021| Topic: RaMbLeS | 4

If you are a kid reading this, spoiler alert!

They think they’ve found the tomb of the original Santa Claus!

“They,” meaning Turkish archaeologists. And they found it—nope, not at the North Pole. But, appropriately enough the remains of that portly, jolly, white-bearded, bespectacled, red-and-white-clad seasonal character is believed to be underneath Saint Nicholas Church, a 1,500-year-old edifice in the Demre district of Turkey’s southwest province, Antalya (on the Mediterranean coast).

Demre was built on the ruins of Myra, where the real Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas (270–343), Bishop of Myra, is supposed to have lived in the fourth century. Until now, the revered saint’s remains were believed to be in Basilica di San Nicola, in Bari, Italy, taken there by Italian merchants in 1087, when Myra was invaded by the Seljuk Turks.

Cemil Karabayram, Antalya Director of Surveying and Monuments, said:

Recent scientific and technological studies had revealed the existence of an intact tomb under the church. The temple on the ground of the church is in good condition. We believe that it has received no damage so far. But it is hard to enter it because there are mosaics—stones with motifs—on the ground. These stones should be scaled one by one and then removed.”

He also added that a perusal of old documents found notes indicating that the bones taken to Bari by the Italians had belonged to another priest.

A CT scan, a geo-radar, and eight academics have been brought in for the final stages of the excavation work.

Karabayram:

The world’s eyes will be set on here. We claim that St Nicholas has been kept in this temple without any damage. We are at the last stage. Maybe we will find the untouched body of Saint Nicholas. If we get the results, Antalya’s tourism will gain big momentum.”

Here comes Santa Claus!

The original Saint Nicholas has been venerated for many centuries for his generosity, in particular to children. The fellow had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him. All of this gave rise to the Santa Claus legends. (Saint N was also supposed to have been an attendee at the Council of Nicaea in 325, one of the most important church councils in history.)

When they migrated to “New Amsterdam” (now New York), the Dutch brought their version of the good guy, “Sinterklaas,” with them. And thus we have ye olde Santa Claus.

But for generosity, no one beats God …

… who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17

And my God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16

That’s why we celebrate Christmas: the incarnation of God the Son, who came to this world to die for the sins of mankind. And for those who believe this, that paying for their sins he also rose from the dead on the third day, eternal life is theirs, for now they are saved from the penalty of sins and saved into the family of God.

That’s what this week’s festivities are (or, ought to be) all about.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenlies in Christ.,
Ephesians 1:3

Have a blessed Christmas!

(Ho, ho, ho!)

SOURCES:
BBC; artnet.com