Description
Book SynopsisWith his rosy cheeks and matching red suit - and ever-present elf and reindeer companions - Santa Claus may be the most identifiable of fantastical characters. But what do we really know of jolly old Saint Nicholas, ""patron saint"" of Christmastime? Ask about the human behind the suit, and the tale we know so well quickly fades into myth and folklore.
In
The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, religious historian Adam English tells the true and compelling tale of Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra. Around the fourth century in what is now Turkey, a boy of humble circumstance became a man revered for his many virtues. Chief among them was dealing generously with his possessions, once lifting an entire family out of poverty with a single--and secret--gift of gold, so legend tells. Yet he was much more than virtuous. As English reveals, Saint Nicholas was of integral influence in events that would significantly impact the history and development of the Christian church, including the Council of Nicaea, the destruction of the temple to Artemis in Myra, and a miraculous rescue of three falsely accused military officers. And Nicholas became the patron saint of children and sailors, merchants and thieves, as well as France, Russia, Greece, and myriad others.
Weaving together the best historical and archaeological evidence available with the folklore and legends handed down through generations, English creates a stunning image of this much venerated Christian saint. With prose as enjoyable as it is informative, he shows why the life--and death--of Nicholas of Myra so radically influenced the formation of Western history and Christian thought, and did so in ways many have never realized.
Trade ReviewI recommend this book to both scholars and laymen. English is a superb storyteller. The work is well organized and expressed, and the fascinating relationship between the historical person and the mythical symbol of Christmas is enough to compel one to engage the book. -- Paul A. Sanchez -- Fides et Humilitas
The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus , is both easy to read and developed enough to satiate both the casual reader and the serious academician. -- Matthew P. Payne, Diocese of Fond du Lac -- Anglican and Episcopal History
The book is distinguished by its beautiful presentation and the occasionally placed black and white images perfectly as a gift for people who expect more from St. Nicholas than just a jam-packed boots. -- Nathalie Schmitt -- Forum Antike Welt
English is a capable storyteller, weaving biographical information about his subject... with rich historical details about his religious and sociological milieu. -- Dawn Eden, The Weekly Standard
Table of Contents
- 1. Finding St. Nicholas
- 2. Out of a Dying World Comes a Light
- 3. Three Gifts and One Election
- 4. The Work of Victory
- 5. Riots, Beheadings, and Other Near Misfortunes
- 6. Death Is Only the Beginning
- Notes
- Recommended Readings
- Index
