Little Saint Nick!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17

Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Pere Noel, St Nick, St Nicholas. These are the names that a certain character that is now highly associated with the period of Christmas is known by in different countries around the world.

There are different traditions associated with this figure in different countries, but most of them centre around him bringing gifts to ‘good’ children on Christmas Eve. This Santa Claus is said to live at the North Pole with his wife and a whole host of elves that make all of the toys that he distributes from his magical sack; whilst flying around the world on a sleigh pulled by magical reindeer that can fly.

Children write letters to him asking for gifts and leave milk and cookies for him to eat on Christmas Eve, and maybe a carrot or two for the reindeer.

Although, most of the above ideas of him riding across the sky, along with his depiction as a bearded, portly figure come from aspects of the Nordic figure of the chief god of the Asgardian myth, Odin, who is associated with the pagan midwinter event of Yule where he led the ‘Wild Hunt’, riding through the sky on him magic horse Sleipnir.

Other aspects of the mythos of Santa Claus come from the 1823 poem “A visit from St. Nicholas”, more popularly know as ‘Twas the the night before Christmas’. However, despite all of this; St Nicholas was a real, historical person.

He was the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor during the 4th Century. Myra no-longer exists as a place, but the remains of Myra can be found in the modern Turkish town of Demre.

St Nicholas is one of the saints who is revered for his life of faith and faithfulness to God by Christians from many different traditions around the world. He is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, pawnbrokers, brewers and children.

He was born in Patara, Lycia and as a youth he made a pilgrimage to Egypt and the area of Palestine. After his return he became the bishop of Myra and was imprisoned during the persecution of Christians under the Roman emperor Diocletian. When Constantine became emperor and converted to Christianity he was released from prison and later was present at the Council of Nicaea. This was a very important council; the first ecumenical council. Here over 300 bishops convened to debate the nature of the trinity. The result of this meeting was very important and indeed we have the Nicene Creed as a result.

There is a tale of St Nicholas being so upset with another bishop’s views that he slapped him on the face. (To read the whole story click here.) St. Nicholas was passionate in his love for God and could not stand someone speaking lies and heresy about Jesus.

Other miracles and wonders are attributed to the life of this Christian, especially the tale of him giving gifts to save three unmarried women, or to bring relief to a famine struck area. This aspect of the saints life; his generosity and kindness has translated over to today’s Father Christmas; to Santa Claus.

However, unlike Santa Claus; St Nicholas always pointed people away from himself, to the only true Saviour of mankind; Jesus.

St Nicholas, would agree with me when I say that all good gifts come from Him, and at this time of Christmas, we should remember in all of our gift giving and receiving; to gladly receive God’s greatest gift given to us; His Son, Jesus.

Have a merry Christmas.