Friday 19 December 2014

Good morning...........

Another day closer to the birth of Jesus............I hope most of your lists are crossed off by now.
A few weeks ago I made these cushions for my Son and family in Darwin. They have now received them and love them. I said they could open the parcel straight away, as they are no good after the event till next Christmas.!

These two are of St Nicholas, where he originated from in Norway............


These two are our modern day Santa.........


All four have the same backs............
Here they are awaiting a visit from Santa..........

Here is a great picture of an outback pub in the Territory, it has to be seen to be believed...... a must if you are in the region. Just one street ? pub, one petrol pump, a phone box and a few houses,in the middle of no-where...... I camped there for night on my travels, all the ranch hands are brought by truck for a Saturday night knees -up. They get totally drunk, go outside and fight, sleep where they fall, on Sunday they have breakfast then go back to the ranch for another hard week with the cattle.

I just came across this gem about St Nicholas that I never knew, I wonder if you did??

Father Pawn Shop.
It doesn’t quite have the same ring as Father Christmas, but it’s an equal descriptor of St. Nicholas. We associate ol’ St. Nick with tinsel and chimneys, not money-lending and neon signs. We imagine him giving gold coins to hungry families, rather than purchasing gold at a fraction of its worth.
Yet St. Nicholas holds an unlikely affiliation with montes pietatius, the 14th century precursor to the modern-day pawn shop industry. At these early pawn shops, people in poverty met caring friars, there to help the poor get back on their feet. The shops were an outlet for Christian charity and Christmas generosity—hardly the kind of seedy business we think of today.

Pawn Shop History

In the Middle Ages, montes pietatius were charities similar to urban food banks. They provided low-interest loans to poor families, ensuring there was enough food on the table. Started by the Franciscans, who opened more than 150 of themmontes pietatius became widespread throughout Europe. In 1514, even Pope Julius II gave an edict endorsing these institutions, which had become the lifeblood of poor European peasants.









According to folklore, St. Nicholas generously provided a man in need dowries for his three daughters, gold coins in three purses. The symbol of gold coins in three purses became the symbol of pawn shops and fit with his title of patron saint. We celebrate St. Nick because he is a generous giver, and now, it seems incongruous the very symbol of his generosity remains the icon of modern-day pawn shops.
How many of us knew that there were food banks so long ago??
I'm sorry it turned out to be a long post, but thank you for your visit

Hugs Tilly x

6 comments:

Sue said...

I just love your cushions Till glad they were loved.
Who knew this about Saint Nick.
Have a good weekend xx

Margarets designer cards said...

Lovely cushions and I am sure they will enjoy using them year after year
Lovely piece about St Nicholas
Margaret

Cindy said...

These pillows are fabulous! Thank you for the beautiful Christmas card :-) Merry Christmas! Cindy

McCrafty's Cards said...

Beautiful cushions Tilly, Love those vintage santas, interesting read too thank you
Kevin xx

JoZart Designs said...

Happy Christmas to you!
Love your cushions and I'm fascinated by the Pawn shop history especially as (tracing my ancestry) one of my ancestors was a pawnbroker!
Hugs Jo x

Desire Fourie said...

Oh wow these cushions are really so festive and I can see why they are treasured. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed festive season and a 2015 filled with tons of love and joy.
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}