Thank God for Santa! The jolly ‘ol fellow, everywhere present this time of year, would not exist were it not for Jesus. In reality, every time you see a Santa, he’s pointing you to Jesus!
Santa got his start is misty Christian antiquity.
Santa got his start is misty Christian antiquity.
A boy named Nicholas was born to a wealthy family sometime in the second half of the 3rd Century AD. His parents were devout followers of Jesus who brought salvation to the world just about 230 years before. Though they died in a plague while Nick was still young, he caught their faith and made it his own. In fact, so devoted to reflecting Jesus was he, that he gave all his inheritance away to the poor. After all Jesus had said to another rich young man, “sell all you own and give the money to the poor.”
Giving his life to serve Christ and the Church, Nicholas soon became Bishop of Myra in what is today southern Turkey. However, the Roman Empire still had not officially recognized Christianity. The Bishop was imprisoned and tortured under Emperor Diocletian. Only when Constantine made it legal to be a Christian in 313 was Nicholas released and returned to his flock.
Bishop Nicholas was so generous toward the poor and cared so deeply for vulnerable children that he earned an enduring reputation of the consummate protector and helper of those in need. Out of this reputation grew many legends of his gift giving generosity. His reputation so moved medieval Europe that communities from Russia to England named hundreds of churches in his honor.
December 6 became the day Christians celebrated this saint’s life since that was the day he died in 343. In time, this became the day set aside to give gifts to needy children. Beginning in the 16th Century the Protestant reformation tried to stamp out reverence for the saints, including Nicholas. But common folk wouldn’t let go and continued giving nuts, fruit and sweets to their children on his special day.
The Pennsylvania Deutsch (German) and the New York Dutch (Holland) brought the celebration of Saint Nicholas to the American Colonies. With the help of Washington Irving and the unknown author of “The Night Before Christmas” in the early 19th Century, Saint Nicholas evolved into a jolly elf. Then, with the help of Norman Rockwell and 1930’s Coca-Cola Santa artistry, he became the red-suited, full-sized man we know today.
Interestingly, the name Santa Claus is simply the anglicized version of the Dutch word for Saint Nicholas; Sinterklaas.
Santa’s life centers on giving, especially to the young and vulnerable. That’s agape love. He focuses on the young and vulnerable, the least of these as Jesus put it. That’s God’s heart! Yes, he checks his list of naughty and nice, but even the naughty get good gifts. That’s grace. He doesn’t tell the kids what they’ll get for Christmas. Instead, he gladly accepts their lists, subtly reflecting the psalmist’s reminder that God is one who gives us “the desires of our hearts”.
Many rigid secularists think they are getting away with a non-sectarian Christmas exhibit when only Santa is displayed or celebrated. Now that you know better, pass along the story. No Jesus. No Santa. Truly know Santa. And you have the opportunity to know Jesus.
Santa really is an opportunity for Christians to witness about this Jesus who so inspired an ancient youing man that others recognized him as a "santa" - saint! If Christians stopped grumbling about Santa, they just might discover that they have a truly sacred symbol available to them everywhere!
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