On December 25^th we will all gather together with family and friends to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord; what is arguably THE most well-known birthday in the history of the world, the birth of Jesus Christ.  This is the celebration of the Incarnation of the Son of God in human form.  This is the celebration that finds its culmination in the celebration of the bodily Resurrection of Jesus on the other great feast day of the Church year, Easter.  Almost everyone who celebrates Christmas at some point in time has included in the preparation and celebration the legend of Santa Claus.  The name “Santa Claus” is an English transliteration of the Dutch Sinte Klauus which in itself is a Dutch transliteration of Saint Nicholas, an historical person who lived during the third and fourth centuries AD and served the Church as a priest and bishop. 

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. The anniversary of his death became a feast day in the Church calendar, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is renowned as a gift-giver.

Thus we have the tradition of giving gifts in December, a tradition that has been incorporated into the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  As we travel down our Advent journeys of preparation this year, let us take time of pause to prepare our hearts to truly welcome the coming of our Lord into our lives by the grace and mercy of God through the free gift of faith and also to prepare for His return in all glory and honor.  As we draw closer to this year’s Christmas celebrations, let us remember that the greatest gift ever given in the history of the world was the gift of forgiveness and eternal life lovingly given by our heavenly Father to all who believe and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  This gift was given as Jesus lovingly and sacrificially gave His life so others may live.  Therefore, the greatest gift we could ever give to another is to share our faith in Jesus and through our sharing of the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, to bring that person to faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

God’s blessings to all this Advent as together we prepare for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord. 

In Christ’s Service

Pastor Scott