After taking a couple of days off from my Blog, I was able to collect my thoughts regarding a figure that is now seen throughout much of the Christian world at this time of year, Santa Claus. Over the weekend I found myself hearing others talk about Christmas and Santa’s part in this holiday. Many feel that Santa has become too commercialized and others feel that Santa has taken much away from the “True meaning” of Christmas, which is the celebration of the Birth of Christ. Others who are completely anti Christmas are just annoyed by all the Santa talk. Yet other’s like the idea of Santa because he does take people’s thoughts away from Christ, whom they do not believe in.
I personally fall into many of these opinions other than the last couple. I do believe in Jesus Christ and I have accepted him as my personal savior and redeemer. I believe that he is the reason that we celebrate Christmas and he should be the main focus. But I also believe that Santa Clause is an important part of Christmas for many reasons. In addition, I believe that Christmas, though religious in its basis, can be celebrated by everyone, religious or not.
Those that celebrate Christmas as a remembrance of the birth of their Savior, Jesus Christ, are very passionate about this holiday. It is a time for them to reflect on what they, including myself, believe is one of the defining moments in all of mankind. Approximately 35% of the world’s population are believers in Christianity and celebrate Christmas in this way. This includes nearly 80% of the United States population. With these numbers it is quite interesting that Santa Clause has become such an iconic symbol of Christmas.
I think, however, that if people knew a little about the history of Santa Clause they might be a little more accepting of his place in Christmas. Everyone knows that Santa Clause is also known as St. Nicholas. But do they know who St. Nicholas was? I know that I didn’t. Other than the old 1970 “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” classic with the Rankin/Bass stop motion characters that we all grew up with. Though a very fun story and one of my favorites to watch each year with my kids, it’s not exactly accurate in its portrayal of St. Nick.
St. Nicholas was born in 280 AD in the city of Myra which is located in what is now the country of Turkey. He served as Archbishop and died in 342 AD. He is one of the most highly regarded Saints in the history of the Catholic Church. In fact, there are more Christian churches that bare is name than that of any other Saint.
What made St. Nicholas so special and highly respected? One of the most famous stories told of St. Nicholas is that he was the son of wealthy parents who died while he was a child. Despite the insecurity of being an orphan, he selflessly wanted to share this wealth with those in need. In those times, like today, wealth and poverty lived side by side.
Nicholas was aware of a man who had three teenage daughters. The family was so poor they could not fill their bellies. And, without money for a dowry, there was no way the girls would ever find a husband. Faced with starvation, their only option would be prostitution.
Nicholas, wishing to remain anonymous, one night tossed a bag of gold through the window of their house. When the man awoke the next morning, there it was! He thanked God for his good fortune. Thus, the oldest daughter was able to marry. A little while later, Holy Nicholas repeated the act for the second daughter.
By now the father wanted to know who was behind this magnificent act. The night he heard the third bag of gold hit the floor beneath his window, he rushed out and caught up with the fleeing Nicholas. The saint swore him to secrecy, but eventually the story got out.
St. Nicholas was also a staunch defender of the falsely accused. Appearing in the courts often to intercede and protect the innocent.
There are countless stories of St. Nicholas intervening to help sailors in times of distress. The most famous is told of a time when Nicholas went across the sea on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A frightful storm came up, and the sailors feared they all were about to die. They came to the holy bishop and pleaded for his help. Nicholas prayed fervently, and the seas became miraculously calm. The sailors were amazed and gave praise to God.
It is said that on the return voyage a sailor fell to his death from a high mast. Nicholas prayed over the man and he came back to life. Nicholas never took credit for any of his deeds. He always instructed the people to turn their hearts to God and repent from sin.
St. Nicholas was one of the great defenders of the Faith. He tirelessly sought after inspiration through prayer and fasting. He never sought after glory but rather always tried to help people seek after Christ and to follow Him always. When Emperor Constantine brought Christianity out of hiding and prison in the fourth century, the Church faced an empire-wide debate between the Egyptian theologians Arius and Athanasius over the divinity of Jesus. Followers of these two literally rioted in the streets against each other. The issue, brewing for some time, was supposedly settled in 325 at the Council of Nicea, source of the Nicene Creed prayed at Mass today. But the struggle over this doctrine of Jesus’ divinity continued for decades.
There is an apocryphal story that Archbishop Nicholas, at the Nicene Council, was so infuriated at the Arian bishops who denied Jesus’ full divinity that he slapped one in the face! He was censured, the story goes, until the same bishops had a dream in which God told them to reinstate Nicholas. They reinstated him. This story, true or not, put Nicholas squarely on the side of those who proclaimed Jesus as “one in being with the Father” in the struggle to capture the minds and hearts of Christians of the day. (Source – Americancatholic.org)
As I read about St. Nicholas I found that he not only taught others to believe and follow Jesus Christ, but he lived a way that was very much the way that Jesus Christ himself did 300 years prior. Now in the United States we refer to St. Nicholas as Santa Clause. We have definitely exaggerated the abilities of this great Saint. We have added the “jolly” character and the red and white furry suit and his big bushy white beard. This has become who we picture. The stories now include reindeer and elves and a big toy shop in the North Pole. That is all part of the fun traditions that have been created throughout the world.
I’m ok with the fun part. But I think we need to always remember who Santa Clause really is and what he stood for. He is a true Saint. He is an example to the world of goodness and selfless love and compassion. He is a symbol of good and a beacon of peace. And most of all, he is Christ-like. He teaches about giving of one’s self and taking care of our fellow man.
Whether or not we believe in Santa Clause, we can all appreciate him as to who he was and what he represents. To me, he is still St. Nicholas. He continues to bring happiness and joy to the world, both Christian and non-Christian alike. And most importantly, he continues to direct others to Christ. Which should make the “true believers” very content.
So hopefully the next time you see a Santa Clause, you will think of St. Nicholas. A man of God who always put others ahead of himself, and none of us are ever too old for that. So we are never too old for Santa!
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