In planning a vacation trip to the UK for this summer, I discovered a charming tradition in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This city was once known for its gun battles and explosions perpetrated by Roman Catholics and Protestants against each other. Now, however, Christmas brings these Christians together to aid the needy in their midst.
Santa Claus (Kris Kringle, Father Christmas) is a symbol of Christmas the world over. While often representing the overly commercial aspects of a religious holiday, in Belfast a particular Santa is a symbol of charity.
St. Anne’s Cathedral is the Belfast cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Its foundation stone was laid in 1899, and construction continued on various parts of the building, concluding in 2007 with the placement of a 130-foot stainless steel spire. This “Spire of Hope” is illuminated at night and can be seen from Cathedral throughout the surrounding neighborhood.
A cathedral is the church where a bishop has his throne, and the senior priest in an Anglican cathedral is called a “dean.” Beginning in 1976 the deans of Belfast Cathedral have taken part in a unique annual custom, a “sit out” for charity.
That is the year when the Very Rev. Sammy Cooks decided to station himself on the Cathedral steps for the week before Christmas. Dressed in a black clerical cloak to ward off the cold, he asked passersby to deposit donations in a receptacle for distribution to the poor.
His successor enlisted other members of the Cathedral staff, and the local press began referring to the dean as “Black Santa.” Soon, clergy from other denominations, the Lord Mayor of Belfast and other community leaders became involved by visiting the dean and making donations to this cause. Numerous choirs came and gave performances on the steps.
The money raised is distributed among smaller charities in Northern Ireland that are involved in medical research, caring for children, working with the elderly and providing employment opportunities for young people. About 15 percent of contributions go to Christian Aid, an organization sponsored by nearly 50 British churches to combat world poverty.
After the Asian tsunami in 2004, the time for collection was extended, and more than $2.6 million was raised that year. This year the focus is on raising additional funds to aid the relief efforts in response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
The Black Santa tradition seems to be effective in encouraging the generosity of the Irish. But one newspaper columnist commented, “The sight of a priest drenched in sleet or covered in snow is the nearest sight Belfast people would get for a priest in purgatory.”
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On Dec. 22, the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church will hold “Las Posadas” beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 17175 Monterey St. in Morgan Hill. The procession will travel through downtown singing Christmas carols. Members of the youth group will dress as Mary, Joseph, shepherds and the Magi led by an authentic Mariachi band, Trio Sol de Mexico. The procession will return to the church for singing of more Christmas carols, followed by hot chocolate and piñata-breaking in the fellowship hall. Call (408) 779-4044 for more information.
Las Posadas has been a Mexican tradition for four centuries. The re-enactment stretches over nine evenings as the Holy Family seeks lodging in Bethlehem. Each evening is concluded with festive singing of Christmas carols and breaking a piñata.
