Christian Ties to Santa Legend
The commercialization of Christmas rightly gets on the nerves of sincere Christians. We decry the over-intrusion of the secular into this sacred holiday.
Sometimes it seems that Christmas is all about Santa Claus. We don’t like the way Jesus’ birthday is overshadowed by the jolly guy with the white beard. We wonder what Santa has to do with Jesus, the manger, the prophecies or anything in the Biblical story.
But Jesus and Santa might have more in common than we realize, especially when we know the story of the man who inspired the legend of Santa Claus: Bishop Nicholas of Myra, from the 4th century.
Nicholas was a serious Christian who lived during the days of the Roman Empire. He suffered for his faith in the last of the Roman persecutions, under the emperor Diocletian. When the emperor Constantine took power, Christianity became legal and the persecutions ended. In the year 325 Constantine called together bishops from around the empire to the Council of Nicea. Nicholas was one of those bishops and at the council made a vigorous stand against heresy. He was a hero of the early church.
Nicholas was also known for his kindness and compassion. There is a story of an impoverished man who had three grown daughters but no money to pay their marriage dowries. Nicholas heard of his plight and anonymously tossed a bag of gold through a window so the dowry could be paid and so the family could buy food. The next year, Nicholas tossed in another bag for the second daughter; the year after that, more gold for the last daughter. The father then discovered who the mysterious giver was.
After his death Nicholas became Saint Nicholas and was known as the patron saint of giving. His legend grew and spread across Europe. In Holland, St. Nicholas was known as Sinterclaus, which became our Santa Claus here in America.
We added lots of extra features to the legend: the North Pole, the elves, the sleigh, coming down the chimney, jolly old St. Nick with his red suit and white beard. But there really was a St. Nick--St. Nicholas, famous for his kindness and goodness.
Therefore Santa Claus is not necessarily the enemy of the true Christmas. Jesus Christ was lord over the man who inspired the legend of Santa Clause. The gift-giving and kindness to children that Nicholas (and Santa) represent could be seen as obedience to Jesus’ teaching: “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” (Mark 9:37)
Jesus is lord of all, even over Santa.
PASTOR DEAN COONRADT
Oxnard Church of the Nazarene