CHRISTMAS AND SANTA CLAUS

As we think about the birth of Christ this Christmas season, the image of Santa Claus frequently overwhelms the reality of why we celebrate the Incarnation. It was Christ's birth in a manger in Bethlehem that we should remember this season for He brought salvation to a sin-filled world. Yet even as we see Santa Claus on street corners and in department stores, we should also remember that the real St. Nicholas was a devout Christian! It was Nicholas who was imprisoned by the Roman Emperor Diocletian for refusing to denounce his Christian faith. He was spared a life in prison when Constantine became a believer in Christ and made Christianity the state religion of Rome.

Later, Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra in Turkey and was well known for acts of charity. On one occasion, he purchased a rug from a poor street vendor at an inflated price, and then gave the rug to the vendor's wife as a present. Legend tells us that he once wanted to bless a girl who didn't have enough money for her wedding dowry. He dropped gold coins down the chimney of her home--and these coins fell into the girl's stockings, which were hung on the fireplace mantle to dry. Whether fact or fiction, this story was retold through the centuries and is the reason stockings are hung on fireplaces at Christmas time. The Dutch Reformed Church venerated St. Nicholas, who was known as "Sinter Klass." This became "Santa Claus" in English speaking nations.

The next time you see a Santa Claus in a department store, remember that he represents far more than toys and candy. He represents a godly Christian man who spent time in prison for his faith and who devoted his life to the poor and needy!