Who was St. Nicholas anyway?

St. Nicholas, or St. Nick, is the same as Santa Claus who comes to homes on Christmas Eve and leaves gifts for everyone.

Or, at least, that is the popular tradition for most Americans. But there is much more to the story.

In the religious traditions of Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Episcopalians, St. Nicholas’s Day is observed on this date, December 6, traditionally celebrated as his birthday.

Nicholas, the man behind the various stories, was a bishop of the Greek or Eastern Orthodox Church in the Fourth Christian Century. He lived in what is now the nation of Turkey.

Many stories and legends surrounded this man who was canonized as a saint by the Eastern Church. In that Mediterranean region, he was said to calm the seas and rescue sailors. He became the patron saint of sailors.

St. Nicholas' s connection with the Christmas season began with the tradition that he received a large inheritance when his parents died and that he used this money to help needy people. One famous example of his generosity is that he gave bags of gold as marriage dowries to three girls who otherwise would have been forced into lives of evil. 

The St. Nicholas tradition was passed along from country to country and was modified with the passage. He came to be known by different names in different countries, including Pere Noel (Father Christmas) in France and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands. Under communism in Russia, as effort was made to root out all religious practices, he became Grandfather Frost.

Other changes were seen as the bishopís robes eventually gave way to the red suit we now associate with Santa Claus, and the bags of gold became bags of toys for good children. Also, for secular and commercial convenience in gift giving, his day in the religious calendar, December 6, was pushed up to Christmas Eve. Much of our current American tradition of Santa Claus can be traced to the 19th century poem, “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Clement Moore is credited with writing the poem. The illustrator was Thomas Nast, our subject for tomorrow.

For most Americans, the religious awareness of Christmas, including a saintly man named Nicholas, has been eclipsed by the secular concept of Santa Claus. More significantly, Santa Claus long ago edged Jesus out of the center of the observance which presumably celebrates his birth.

For those of us who want to restore or keep a Christian focus in Christmas, Advent gives us opportunity to focus daily on Jesus as Godís greatest gift, far greater than the gifts from Santa Claus or St. Nicholas.

A Verse for Today

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)