Many people believe that the belief in Santa Claus has tainted the true meaning of Christmas. But would you be surprised to learn that there once really was a Santa Claus — an original Santa Claus — and he was a priest?
Saint Nicholas lived in the 4th century. He served as the Bishop of Myra, an area that is now in the modern-day land of Turkey. He was noted for doing many good deeds for those around him, but especially for children. In fact, Saint Nicholas was known for his generosity toward children, and the giving of gifts.
Every year on December 6th, Saint Nicholas was celebrated with a day of feasting and celebration. During that time, he visited orphanages, dressed in his Bishop’s robes, and inquired about the children there. He asked about their behavior. Had they been naughty or nice? The children who had been good all throughout the year received a present from Saint Nicholas.
Long after Saint Nicholas passed away, others carried on his traditions. The work of Saint Nicholas or “Jolly Old Saint Nick” became well-known in surrounding areas, and soon his work was carried to parts of the Netherlands and Europe.
During the Reformation, the Protestant Church changed the name of Saint Nicholas to “Christkindl” — a name that was soon pronounced “Kris Kringle” — and changed the date of the gift-giving from December 6th to Christmas Eve.
In the late 1800s, cartoonist Thomas Nast drew depictions of Santa Claus that included the red suit and cap, the white beard and glasses, and all the other little details that children the world-over now associate with Santa Claus.
Is Santa Claus a mythical figure that brings gifts to children all over the world in the span of a few sleepy hours on Christmas Eve? Some children love the fairy tale and cling to it for years…but the truth is, there really was a Santa Claus, and his name was Saint Nicholas. The fact of “Saint Nick” and the celebration of the birth of Jesus are not at odds with each other, as both are true.
As people all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ, they also have adopted Saint Nicholas’ spirit of generosity and love, and now serve as stewards of Santa Claus every time they offer a gift to a child.
So, yes…I believe in Santa Claus. Do you?