Archive for December 2022
Hark! The Herald Wesley Wrote: How a Christmas Hymn Transformed America
TweetShareShare In 1739 a young colonial Georgia preacher wrote a “Hymn for Christmas Day.” His opening line was “Hark! how all the welkin rings.” Welkin is an old Dutch word for “heaven.” The lyricist’s name? Charles Wesley. In the late 1720s, he and his older brother John had founded a new form of Protestant Christianity…
Read MoreThe Santa Chronicles: The Rise of Sinter Klass (Part 2)
TweetShareShare How did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus? It’s an important part of the real history of Santa Claus. In part 1, we looked at the humble beginnings of a devout Greek bishop known as Nicholas. His generous deeds were legendary. Now let’s dive into the European chapter that sets up the myths and legend…
Read MoreThe Santa Chronicles: How A Man Named Nicholas became Santa Claus (Part 1)
TweetShareShareHis name was Nikolaos or Nicholas…St. Nicholas in the Greek Orthodox tradition. You and I know him better as “St. Nick.” Around the world he has other names: Sinterklass (Dutch), Kris Kringle (English), Papa Noel (French/Spanish), Weihnachtsmann (German), Grandfather Frost (Russia)…and SANTA CLAUS. Most of what we know about this “jolly old elf” and his…
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