Jesus & Santa

St. Nicholas of Myra

Today is the feast day for St. Nicholas, so we’ll take a quick break from the journey through Luke 1. Last year’s post on this day was pretty popular, so here it is again:

Tradition holds that Nicholas of Myra died on December 6 in the year 343. The legend of the saint is huge, wild, and likely highly legendary. While much of what has become the societal Santa Claus was developed from the legend of Sinterklaas out of the Netherlands, a couple of foundational St. Nicholas stories help shape the giving nature of Santa Claus, particularly toward children.

It’s not an uncommon theme among Christian saints that the individual was born out of wealth, only to soon discover the phenomenon of poverty and be drawn to the compassion of Christ therein. (The same is said of St. Francis and St. Martin, among others.)

The contemporary Santa Claus is quite the central feature in the societal understanding of Christmas. Many Christians lament such a distraction from Jesus and his birth as the central religious phenomenon meant for the season. Perhaps there is some room for such angst, particularly for a faith that insists on the centrality of Jesus Christ.

Add to that the commercialism and “Give me what I want!” magical nature of Santa Claus, and it can feel far from the heart that comes with Jesus in sacrificial giving and compassionate ministry to those in need.

However, not all is lost if the legend of St. Nicholas is remembered and told. It’s a great story for these times - a man born into significant wealth, turned by the compassion of Christ toward the benefit of those who do not have, particularly children in need. It’s also said of St. Nicholas that he had a penchant for an orthodox faith, a righteousness toward God. (He’s even said to have slapped the heretic Arius at the Council of Nicea for trying to convince the Church that Jesus was not equal with God the Father!)

Way before Nicholas was ever born, the prophet Isaiah had such a deep desire for a return to the just righteousness of God and particularly so for those in need - children, orphans (“the fatherless”), and women who are otherwise powerless.

If and when Christmas resonates with such themes, it is at the heart of the story of a little baby born to no-name parents in a little town way outside the city.

Jesus, too, reserves some of his harshest words for those who would cause little ones grief. As meek as the Christ child may be (and was), Jesus the adult told those who would do such things to tie a rock around their neck and jump in a lake.

Caring for those in need, the powerless, the family-less…is in the very the heart of Christ and a significant aspect of that to which Advent and the prophets call us.

Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them. When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” Then he hugged the children and blessed them.

Prayer

God,

I think I know…but help me to know better.

What does it look like for us to stand in for the powerless today? Children, parents, families in need - call us to their aid. Show us the way. If it means we need a good slap in the face, so be it. Give us the compassion of Jesus who called such as these unto him.

Especially in this season and the impending Christmas, awaken our hearts toward compassion.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.