St Nicholas's original identity needs another chance to capture the hearts and minds of people in England, USA and all over the globe according to a new society officially inaugurated this year.
James Rosenthal, founder of the St Nicholas Society English Speaking Branch (SNS), says the need for an encounter with a saint that points to the truth of Christmas is needed more than ever.
Its founder says the campaign to reclaim Santa and Father Christmas is "a true sign of reaching into the communities of the world with a message of caring, action and faith, that can make a difference for many people burdened by the world picture today and get a true picture of what Christianity can be for people."
Rosenthal, an Anglican honorary lay canon of four cathedrals, is masterminding a programme of education and information that made great advances in Canterbury just days ago. Hundreds followed the horse and carriage with St Nicholas himself, complete with Bishop's mitre (hat) and staff, beckoning shoppers to follow him to the cathedral, and they did, and in the hundreds.
Greeted by the Dean of Canterbury, the Lord Mayor and the Choristers of Cathedral, a brief but moving ceremony brought a joyful and yet calm serenity as people prayed with the saint at the life-size Christmas Crib. The anonymous actor under the beard and mitre spoke of the "expressions of happiness and wonder" in faces of young and old alike. Gifts were given, as the giving of gold to a poor father who had no money for his three daughters' dowries through the chimney and into the stockings, is one of the most famous tales.
The previous week the lay canon preached in Portsmouth Cathedral on the Nicholas theme as well as St Nicholas Church Barfreston, Kent. He got rave reviews.
Rosenthal also feels Christians must present a spirited and hope-filled view to the world. "Christian traditions, many lost over time, have such interesting elements to share and offer those wishing to mark Christmas in a spiritual and fun way some really unique opportunities. St Nicholas points to Christ, whose name as part of Christ-Mass, hangs in shoppe windows and billboards everywhere. "Well so it seems.
"I was stunned last week in New York to see an emphasis on HAPPY HOLIDAYS rather than Christmas," he said. I believe all celebrations have their own integrity and parts of such celebrations can be enjoyed by all, but Christmas, December 25, is what it is and nothing else. I had friends talking about their "holiday lunch" and the word Christmas was not always evident in shoppes or newspaper adverts. In Chicago he was happy to see a life-size Christmas Crib in the main center standing with an enormous Hannukah menora. He visited a major card shoppe and was very distressed. "What I call Christmas Cards seemed so obscure that the inscription Seasons Greetings inside actually was appropriate. Very few even seemed to give a nod to the Nativity much less St Nicholas."
"My Muslim, Jewish and Buddhists friends engage with me often and sincerely in discussions on faith, but I cant imagine one of them saying to the world give up your Christmas for a generic holiday. My fear is that Santa, wildly on the increase in the UK, is a chief reason for the confusion. Santa has become the image of Christmas in much of the politically correct arenas of the world." Thus the SNS asks people to reclaim and understand who this Jolly Old Saint Nick really is.
The society is sister organisation to similar groups in Belgium and Holland. In those countries the St Nicholas custom, as in Lorriane and Boulogne, France, is alive but might be under threat. Some of the Flanders members journeyed to Canterbury for the fest.
The response to the Canterbury event was overwhelming according to Rosenthal. "I have already had a invitation to bring the event to a large growing congregation in Central London, Holy Trinity, Sloane Square. The first London event was in 1999 at St Matthew's Westminster where the founder was Church Warden. Last year the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church USA was present and this year the Archbishop of Canterbury sent a message of encouragement and his wide, Eileen Carey, was the honorary patron.
Rosenthal is writing a third publication on the saint and his popular children's book is now on the Grace Cathedral web site (San Francisco). He has an American friend, Mrs Carol Myers of Holland, Michigan, that shares his enthusiasm and has herself mounted a gentle campaign and has an exhibit on display in her city's museum. They hope to work together to open two St Nicholas Centers, one in England and the other in the USA.
Rosenthal said, "The greatest gift ever was that given by God in the person of his Son. St Nicholas helps those celebrating Christmas to know what the reasons for his actions and care for others, recorded by writers, musicians, artists over many years. It is no wonder 400 churches in the UK are named St Nicholas!"
The City of Canterbury was very supportive of Rosenthal's efforts but only a small number of shoppes even would display posters. "I will keep trying, but I need support from like-minded Christians that appreciate tradition but are not afraid to enjoy life."
Two shoppes did create Nicholas window displays and a shoppe owned by a Dutch woman, fully knowledgeable of the tradition and a cathedral regular, made a substantial donation with her husband even designing the exhibition held for three days on the High Street.
Rosenthal, an American who has lived in the UK for 12 years, works for the Anglican Communion but stresses this project is an "after-hours" endeavour. His flat contains many images of St Nicholas, all as a Bishop. "Everyone who has entered my flat and sees the displays leaves smiling and happy. That is a major accomplishment in a world that exudes so much gloom and doom." he said.
But the world situation was not forgotten at the Canterbury gathering. Donations were received for St Nicholas Church, New York, destroyed in the September 11 tragedy and for an AIDS project in Southern Africa.