The legend of Santa Claus began with a person named Nicholas of Myra. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in 280 A.D. in a small town called Patara in Asia Minor. He lost his parents at an early age by an epidemic, but not before they had instilled in him the gift of faith in Jesus Christ.
Little Nicholas went to Myra to live after his parents died. There in Myra, Nicholas lived a life full of sacrifice and love in the spirit of Jesus. He had become so Christlike that when the town needed a bishop, Nicholas was elected.
In the meantime, Diocletian became Emperor of the Roman Empire. His wife and daughter were Christian disciples–they were studying the Christian catechism. Diocletian, however, was convinced that the only way to solidify the empire was to reinstitute Roman religion–Emperor worship, swearing allegiance to Caesar by saying, “Caesar is Lord.” In March 303 A.D., Diocletian issued an edict that ordered churches to be “razed to the ground, that the Scriptures be destroyed by fire, that those holding office be deposed and forced to offer sacrifices to the Emperor. Those who refused to do so shall be imprisoned.”
In 303 A.D., Nicholas was imprisoned because of his Christian faith. Nicholas and his Christian disciples refused to worship pagan gods and to utter those blasphemous words, “Caesar is Lord.” Two years later, Diocletian abdicated and Constantine, a recent Christian convert, became Emperor. Nicholas was released from prison in 305 A.D.
There are many stories of Nicholas’ generosity and compassion. Nicholas went door-to-door begging for food, which he would take to the homeless and hungry. In those days, the only Social Security women had was the security of marriage and children. However, if the girl did not have a dowry to pay the man’s parents, the girl could not get married. So the girl would be condemned to live a life of a street prostitute. Nicholas gave his family fortune to these unfortunate girls, in order to save them from a life of prostitution.
The most famous story about Nicholas is the legend of Saint Nicholas. Each year on the night of December 6th, Nicholas would put on a disguise and go out and give gifts to poor children. These gifts were usually gifts of warm clothing and food to keep the children well until the warmth of spring returned. In the year 314 A.D., Nicholas died. His body was later moved to Italy, where his remains are to this day.
The story of Nicholas has spread around the world. There are more churches in the world named after St. Nicholas than any other saint in church history.
But look at the strange things people have done to this saint. The poet, Clement More, gave him a red nose and eight tiny reindeer. And Thomas Nast, the illustrator, made him big and fat and gave him a red suit trimmed with fur. And others have given him names–Belsnickle, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus. All of the modern stories about Saint Nick have left out the most important fact: Saint Nicholas was a Christian with the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). Because of his gentle, selfless love, Nicholas touched the whole world.
There was once a family that celebrated Christmas every year by having a birthday party for Jesus. An extra chair of honor at the table became the family’s reminder of Jesus’ presence. A cake with candles, along with the singing of “Happy Birthday” expressed the family’s joy in the birthday of the Savior.
One year, an afternoon visitor asked five-year-old Ruth, “Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Ruth answered, “No, but then it’s not my birthday!”
As we rush through the next few weeks, let us not forget the reason we celebrate Christmas. Christmas is the celebration of God’s greatest gift to the world: Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. As you make out your Christmas shopping list, remember that it is Jesus’s birthday.
2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”