SANTA CLAUS & THE CHRISTIAN

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“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)
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SANTA CLAUS
Where did this tradition have it’s beginning, and does the history of Santa Claus
have anything to do with the Christian church??

The first Santa was actually a leader in the early Christian church….His name was Nicholas and he lived in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey, in about 300 A. D. He was the Bishop of Myra and was well known for his kindness toward poor people, especially the children….There have been many stories told about this man, but one of the most famous is when Nicholas helped to save an entire family from starvation by dropping bags of gold through either an open window or the chimney; historians differ on which one it was, but it sounds better if it was dropped down the chimney.

The Church changed Nicholas’ name to Saint Nicholas and he became famous for the stories told about his giving to others in need….In England, he is known as “Father Christmas”; in Germany, he is called “Cristkind”; in Holland, he is “Sinter Klass”; and in America, we know him as “Kris Kringle”….When the Dutch came to America, they brought “Sinter Klass”, whose name was eventually changed to “Santa Claus”….Because of the poem, “The Night Before Christmas” (Clement Moore, 1822), and because of American artist’s depiction of this giving hero, “Santa Claus” became the “jolly old fellow” that we know today.

Santa is part of many family traditions this time of the year….For my family, we have always celebrated Christmas with the tradition of Santa Claus but with the understanding that this was secondary behind the true meaning of Christmas; Jesus Christ and His birth! Santa Claus is a reminder to give from the heart with love, because Santa first loved Jesus and gave to help others because Jesus first gave of Himself.

I love this time of the year because everything reminds me of Jesus Christ, His miraculous birth, and His sacrificial giving….Yes, Christmas Time is when families gather in fellowship, parents and grandparents give till it hurts, children excitedly tear open wrapped gifts to see what wonderful things they hold, and everyone enjoys the turkey and dressing….But, most importantly, this is the time of the year that we celebrate the most wonderful, beautiful GIFT EVER given; THE GIFT OF SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE SENT TO THIS EARTH THROUGH OUR LORD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS CHRIST!

Please, don’t forget the real true meaning of Christmas – JESUS!!!
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