by Melinda
Pillsbury-Foster
Santa Claus today is celebrated as a
jolly elf driving a sleigh into the sky, bringing toys to children.
But behind this shallow icon is the reality of a godly and courageous
man whose life began less than 300 years after the death of Jesus.
St. Nicholas was born around AD c270 in
Patara, Turkey to wealthy Christian parents. His parents taught him
the lessons which were then remaking the world, handing down from
remembered lessons the words and acts of Christ and the gospels. The
four major books, Mark, believed to have been
written around ce70, Matthew, Luke, and John were by this time in the
hands of the people.
Christianity,
during this period, was rapidly becoming the dominant faith of the
Western world because instead of relying on words Christians followed
the Word of Christ, treating all around them, as Christ had
commanded, “as themselves.” Reaching into their communities
Christians embraced those who did not share their faith. This was
also true of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.
After the death
of his parents Nicholas spent all of his inheritance caring for
others. At a very young age, around 30, Nicholas was made Bishop of
Myra in Asia Minor, the city now known as Demre,
He lived his entire life centered on Jesus Christ, working for
justice and caring for those in need.
Aware of the
injustices done to women, he provided dowries to poor girls so they
could marry and live righteously. Without fear, he confronted
authority when injustice was being done, giving no thought for his
own safety. When the people of Myra suffered from over taxation he
persuaded the Roman Emperor to lower the tax. He endured imprisonment
for his faith with unfaltering devotion. During his lifetime he
appeared and spoke to those guilty of injustice, persuading them to
change their hearts and do right.
Bishop Nicholas, defender of the faith,
forcefully argued for the doctrine of the Holy Trinity at the Council
of Nicaea in AD 325. The Nicene Creed is still said in churches
today. His acts reached around the Christian
world, inspiring others to acts of love and faith in Jesus Christ.
On December 6th,
343 Bishop Nicholas died, but the reality of his acts and how they
touched generations of people, continue with us today. This
Christmas season, when you look at the image of Santa Claus, remember
the real man.
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