Merry CHRISTmas!
Poor Saint Nick must be nodding his head in disapproval at what he has come to symbolize.
Here’s the real St. Nicholas :
Saint Nicholas : Agios [”saint”] Nikolaos [”victory of the people”]) (270 - 7 December 346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (Demre, in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas.
His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints. In 1087, his relics were furtively translated to Bari, in southeastern Italy; for this reason, he is also known as, Nicholas of Bari.
The historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians. He is also honoured by various Anglican and Lutheran churches. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, and children, and students in Greece, Belgium, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, the Republic of Macedonia, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro. He is also the patron saint of Barranquilla, Bari, Amsterdam, Beit Jala, Siggiewi and Liverpool. In 1809, the New-York Historical Society convened and retroactively named Santa Claus the patron saint of Nieuw Amsterdam, the Dutch name for New York City. He was also a patron of the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine emperors, who protected his relics in Bari.
For his help to the poor, Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold. People then began to suspect that he was behind a large number of other anonymous gifts to the poor, using the inheritance from his wealthy parents. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Nicholas.
A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil’s feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.
Nicholas, bishop of Myra circa 300 AD. Had a reputation for secret gift-giving. Clothed in red as befitted a bishop. Revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians, honored by Lutherans and Anglicans. In the Dutch tongue Saint Nicholas becomes Sinterklaas, corrupted by the English of New Amsterdam/ New York into Santa Claus.
My kids, when small, heard the Nativity story and waited for Santa. As they got older, they figured out the truth.
The Nativity was and always will be the centerpiece of the Holiday.
My oldest son is studing for the Priesthood for the Anglican Church of America, my daughter and her husband the Coastie are youth leaders at their church, and the two little guys at home sing church songs on the way to their Christian Private School. I’m pretty sure the story of Santa has not had a negative spiritual impact any more then the tooth fairy.
Oh yeah, we let them Trick or Treat too....
Looks like you’ll be getting coal this year.
I thought that the original Santa Claus was Sa’ami.
Wow. He needs to get a grip. The birth of Jesus was always at the center of our Christmas celebrations, but my children believed in Santa when they were small. It did not hurt them at all.
Lying to your children about Santa Claus is just plain wrong. It teaches them that it’s ok to lie for just any ol’ silly reason and certainly if everybody else is doing it. Sends the message that mom and dad can’t really be trusted. And why should parents who spend their hard-earned dollars and precious time buying gifts get the gratitude and respect due them.
My sister’s 3 children were never lied to about this and they always had extraordinary Christmas times and are terrific young adults. They did not suffer because they lived the truth.
If your goal is to put “Christ” back into Christmas then you are sorely mistaken. Since The Nazarene could NOT have been born anywhere near Dec 25th you are diluting the message of the risen Saviour.
On the other hand if one views this time of year as a reminder of cultural things and of a chance to rethink and reconnect then perhaps you will do well.
On a finer point ChristMAS refers to the death of the Saviour not his resurrection which leaves one in a bad position if they profess to be a beliver. The joy is in the resurrection. It is the basis of our faith (the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen).
I like Christmas and Santa Claus. However, if you are going to be technical:
1. December 25th was originally a pagan holiday. No one knows when Jesus was born.
2. Nowhere in the New Testament are we asked to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The only “celebration” Jesus asked for is communion or the Lord’s Supper, a celebration of his death.
3. Therefore, celebrating Christmas on December 25th is an optional, man-made construct with no biblical basis. To elevate it beyond that is dangerous territory.
I try not get myself lured into this stuff-—but what’s wrong with some made up fun with your kids? My boys know Jesus is real and Santa is just for fun. Doesn’t seem to have ruined their faith-—or mine since I too believed in Santa.
Santa is just like Tiger Woods.
He knows who all the bad girls are, and he sees them when they’re sleeping.
I read this originally a year or two ago and we decided to tell our little girl the truth. It has not diminished Christmas at all in our family. Thanks for reposting.
Christmas was always a joyous time when I was growing up. It's a warm glow one gets on Christmas to find presents under the tree from a mystery figure. I wish all children could be that fortunate, but I would not take that feeling away from any.
My wife went to Catholic school many years ago.. She told me that someone dressed as Santa came over and they sang Christmas carols.. To me Santa is fun and I’m sure Jesus wouldn’t mind at all.. Some people needs to lighten up a bit..
I was told the story of Santa Claus— and permitted to watch the various depiction of his life and work on television.
I was told the story of Paul Bunyan.
I was told the story of David and Goliath.
I was told the story of Superman.
I believed one of these stories, because when my parent told me them , they told me which was true and which were not.
Santa Claus, and what he represents, is a part of our western, Christian culture. He is, at the origin of the legend, a Christian figure who himself would worship the Christ.
Show me one— just one— “’Christian’ [who] would seek to exalt Santa above the reality of Christ’s Person and birth...” just one— never mind the “many” you claim. Name, address, phone, etc. Photos if available.
Just to be clear, I am not offended by your ill-treatment of the Santa legend— but by your ill-treatment of the truth, and the hyperbole of saying that all “objective” believers of “Christmas reality” would have no trouble with your self-righteousness.
