I’m sure you, like me, have grown up with the exciting tale of Santa Claus, the wonderful plump man whos mission in life is to bring joy to children on Christmas day. While there are many disperate legends that really have combined to form this magical man, the one we are going to talk about is Saint Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children, among several other things, was an early Christian greek bishop. There are many many stories and elaborations attributed to this holy man, but one that bears mention to the legend is that he was renowned for his habit of secret gift giving. This made him a great favorite of the people and much loved and revered.
Saint Nicholas also was one of the attendees at the Very first council of Nicaea. This council was very important where clergy affirmed that Jesus Christ was divine and not a mere created being or Arianism, proposed by Arius. Saint Nicholas was purportedly so incensed by the ideas put forward by Arius that he is said to have slapped him.
Saint Nicholas is a big part of the modern day Santa Claus and a wonderful legend that is so important to Christians.
Santa Claus brings joy and love to people young and old. Joy is something this world seems to be in short supply of in these difficult modern times, and love is literally a commandment from the Lord, himself:
Matthew 22:37 …“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
And I believe in Santa Claus, like I believe in love….