Is There Really a Santa Claus?
“For many years I was convinced that St. Nick was simply a figment of the imagination and was strictly for kids.”

I was wrong!

Now in my seventh decade of living life I’ve since learned differently. Saint Nicholas, aka St. Nick, was not invented by the toy industry. Nor was he a pagan figure that some preachers seem to like to rant and rave about from their pulpits especially during the Christmas Season. It is true that the jolly old man that we call Santa Claus is considerably different from the real St. Nick. He obviously looked nothing like the pictures and images that we have today portraying the world’s Santa Claus. Nevertheless we need not allow fables surrounding a true man of God to dismiss remembering and honoring him.

an icon of the man, Nicholas

The real Nicholas was born around 270 AD in Patara which was located near Lycia in what is now modern day Turkey. This area is mentioned in the New Testament by Luke. See – Acts 27:5-6. It was visited by Luke, Paul and Aristarcus.
Epiphanius and Tona, were the parents of Nicholas. They were said to be a wealthy Christian couple who sought to live Christlike lives throughout their marriage. They desired a child, however it was not until Tona was nearing the age of not being able to bear a child that the couple finally gave birth to a son. This son was their only child. They named him Nicholas which means: Conquer of Nations. They prayed that he would grow-up to be a servant of God. God honored their prayers. History reveals that Nicholas truly was one of God’s special servants.

It is said that Nicholas was a very bright child demonstrating intelligence and knowledge above and beyond his peers while a student in school. His uncle was the chief pastor [bishop] of Patara and took young Nicholas under his wing when his parents died. Upon finishing his basic education young Nicholas entered ‘New Sion’, the name of the monastery which his uncle had founded. Prior to becoming a monk Nicholas had been initiated as a deacon in the local church in his community. He is said to have had a keen understanding and grasp of the Bible and he held firmly to the faith of the apostles. He sought to be a Christian who would not compromise his faith in Christ.

The monastery where he was a monk was headed up by one of his cousins who was the abbot, i.e., the title of the overseer of a monastery. Like his parents, Nicholas sought to be Christlike in his walk as a Christian. He took Christian living seriously. His superiors were so impressed by the godly life of this young man that he was ordained a presbyter when only nineteen years old. At this early age God had bestowed upon Nicholas gifts of healing that were accompanied by signs and wonders. Divine healing had greatly diminished in the churches shortly after the original apostles passed from the scene. With the increase of organization and hierarchy, spiritual gifts fell largely by the wayside. There is a need for a restoration of spiritual gifts in our churches today. All gifts must be in accord with the guidelines provided in the New Testament. See – 1 Corinthians chapter 12, 13 & 14.

Tradition holds, and there is some evidence of its trustworthiness, that upon the death of his parents’ Nicholas distributed all of the wealth and property that he had inherited to the poor rather than keeping it for himself. He literally kept nothing for himself. As a presbyter (pastor-shepherd) in Patara he was known for his generosity in helping those who were underprivileged and poor. In that day there were many who fell into this category. In reaching out to others Nicholas believed that he was fulfilling the words of Christ who taught, “Let not your left hand know what your right hand does” (Matthew 6:3). Nicholas reminds us of Francis of Assisi who also came from a wealthy family and gave away all his inheritance to the poor.

It is evident that the Lord’s hand was upon Nicholas.

He testified that he heard God’s Voice speak to him saying: “Nicholas, set about your work among the people if you desire to receive a crown from me.”

Shortly after this account he was called to serve as the bishop (chief-pastor/presbyter) of the church at Myra, a city located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Nicholas was a true pastor (shepherd) of the flock over which God had placed him. He was arrested and put into prison for his faith in Christ during the persecutions of the Christians under the Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Even while in prison Nicholas continued to teach and minister. He was released from prison when persecution against Christians subsided.

Nicholas was a powerful voice for the faith of the apostles and prophets. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 AD. During this Council he boldly stood for the New Testament faith as established and set forth by the apostles against the Arian heresy. He had a confrontation with Arias. As a result of this confrontation Nicholas was dismissed from his overseeing ministry, i.e., office of bishop. However, the Holy Spirit revealed to a number of church leaders that Nicholas was to be restored to his position as bishop of Myra.

Nicholas, with several others, was involved in compiling the Nicene Creed. This statement of faith is one of the ancient documents that we have today. It briefly outlines basic New Testament Christian belief.

In addition to being a defender of the faith, Nicholas was also a vocal champion of justice among the people. It is recorded that on two occasions, he saved three men from undeserved sentences of death. Early in his ministry he gave money to the father of three daughters saving them from lives of prostitution. It is said that Nicholas walked among his people like an angel of the Lord. People considered him a saint during his lifetime, and sought his aid when they were in trouble or when they were distressed. He was always there for both his flock as well as for others in the community in which he ministered.

He was truly a shepherd of souls. He understood the New Testament roll of shepherding ministry.

Nicholas died when he was seventy-three years old on December 6th, 343. Shortly after his death he was officially recognized by the institutional Church as a saint; hence he is referred to as Saint Nicholas in the biblical understanding and meaning of a saint. Many Christians remember and honor Nicholas on his Graduation Day, December 6th. It was upon this day that he graduated or left this life to be ushered into the presence of his Lord and Master.

Yes, Saint Nicholas is for real. Unfortunately the truth of his life and ministry have been all but lost in our North American misrepresentation of what has become Santa Claus. Yet, even in the midst of our Christmas practices we can see some of the reasons for the present day traditions that have some basis. Though the giving of gifts during the Christmas Season has little to do with this Christian worker (Nicholas), yet we can see why he has become associated with giving. In his generosity he continually gave without expecting to receive in return. This is a biblical principle that many tend to forget.

It is unfortunate that Protestantism in particular has largely forsaken much of the rich heritage of our Christian faith. Nicholas is one of the great saints of the Body of Christ. We should not be ashamed to remember and honor this godly man. May an increasing number of us seek to emulate his Christlike life in service to others especially to the poor and those who have too often been disenfranchised by many institutional churches.

Many German and Dutch Christians have a tradition of honoring Nicholas on the day when he went home to be with the Lord. Some refer to it as St. Nick’s Night each December 6th.

Even if you are not German this can become a meaningful home tradition as small gifts are exchanged and the life and ministry of Saint Nicholas is recalled. In my home we have a tradition of inviting a few friends to join us as we fill stockings with small inexpensive gifts for our pets. These are distributed on this eve as we celebrate. It has become a meaningful and fun filled evening for our entire household; people and pets alike. We have a booklet available for those who would like more information as to how to celebrate this as a home celebration on or near December 6th.

An appropriate prayer that you may want to include in your remembering Nicholas is taken from the Church of England’s “Celebrating Common Prayer’:

God in majesty,
As we praise you for the signs and wonders
Done by your servant Nicholas
In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ:
Grant that we also may become channels of your grace
both in word and in power;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

In addition to the workshop/seminars we also have a number of booklets available.

Strawberry Views
HC 1, Box 1529
Strawberry, AZ 85544-9740

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