Ho Ho Ho: Men in Red

In hopes of adding to your Christmas cheer, Loose Canon offers a few items that are light in a different way: "St Nicholas returns to take on his red imposter," is a headline in the London Times. (The article is about Canon Jim Rosenthal, a lay canon in the Anglican communion, who is trying to teach children about St. Nicholas.)

Our St Nicholas was about as real as they get, and as jolly. The previous weekend he had led a similar celebration through Canterbury in his medieval bishop's garb and the Archbishop's son Pip sat beside him as his little helper. This Advent he has also visited Newcastle Cathedral, Maidstone Allington, St Matthew's Westminster, Great St Mary’s Cambridge and even St Luke’s Church, Germantown, Philadelphia....

"The society believes that St Nicholas helps young and old see what the true spirit of Advent and Christmas can be for us all, especially for those who find the holidays very stressful. It is our hope that jolly old St Nicholas will become, once again, in English-speaking parts of the world, a focus of celebration in his true identity. Santa is not bad, but St Nicholas is just better. I believe there is a bit of the spirit of St Nicholas in all of us."

I don't know what Canon Rosenthal wears when he's doing his St. Nick thing--but I do know that Santa isn't the only man in red this Christmas. Not only has Benedict gotten a lot of ink for wearing his new camauro--a red hat with ermine trim--but some critics think he looks a lot like Santa in it. Here is a picture.(Popes wore it in the 17th century, and I for one am delighted to see the Holy Father bringing back some old papal sartorial customs.)

And, finally, believe it or not, Fireside Chat with the Rector is not talking about gay Bishop Gene Robinson this time: "The 'Gay Bishop' can lead to divisions in one's family, and its introduction into a large group seems to make the gathering diminish and eventually fade away into obscurity and irrelevance." Bottoms up, is it?